English translation follows

Este año, la 65 Comisión de la ONU sobre la Condición Jurídica y Social de la Mujer (CSW) decidió poner como tema principal la participación de las mujeres en la vida pública y cómo la igualdad para tomar decisiones tiene un vínculo directo con el desarrollo. 

Como espacio de reivindicación de los derechos de las mujeres, la CSW es fundamental para debatir, incidir, provocar cambios y crear espacios que sean favorables para alcanzar la igualdad de género en diversas formas de participación efectiva de las mujeres: Política, social, religiosa, entre otras.

Por lo que, en esta reunión anual, diversas organizaciones, movimientos, corrientes de pensamiento, gobiernos, protagonistas de espacios y palestras diferentes participan activamente para colocar en la agenda sus temáticas de interés para lograr, o para no lograr, la equidad de derechos a favor de las mujeres.

Las organizaciones basadas en la fe y las iglesias son, sin duda, actores de gran valía en este encuentro y su participación para generar mejoras en la vida de las mujeres es valiosa porque en las comunidades son referentes de participación y promotores del respeto a los derechos, voces que condenan la violencia basada en género y promueven su superación. 

En este contexto, la delegación de ACT Alianza ante la CSW tiene la misión de llevar la voz de todas aquellas que no pueden participar y representarlas. Lograr este propósito desde la virtualidad ha sido un escollo, más no un imposible pues el compromiso y el deseo de generar cambios ha prevalecido y permitido que estemos presentes en este encuentro.

Como mujer, parte de esta delegación, en representación de la Comunidad de Práctica Justicia de Género de América Latina y el Caribe, me he cuestionado sobre mi responsabilidad para impulsar una comprensión efectiva de la importancia de la CSW desde el espacio donde me muevo y participo, crear sinergias que contribuyan a que lo ganado hasta ahora en derechos para todas no retroceda.  

Al inicio, pensé que lo que puedo hacer es tan pequeño que no incidiría en nada. No obstante, al reflexionar, entendí que sí puedo provocar cambios, aunque sean mínimos, porque si mis esfuerzos se suman a otros, se hacen más grandes y es ahí donde se fortalecen y se vuelven voz que grita tan alto que es imposible no oírla porque ya no es una sola, sino muchas que amplifican el grito que pide igualdad de derechos para todas las personas. 

Porque es cuando hay retrocesos en lo ganado para el goce pleno de derechos de nosotras es cuando más hay que comprometerse. ¿Cómo se hace en la práctica? Con pocos pasos, que a lo mejor no son los más sencillos: El primero, formándonos sobre la importancia de estos espacios, instalando conocimientos y empoderando a las mujeres de nuestras comunidades, de nuestras iglesias y organizaciones para que a nuestra lucha, se sume la de ellas, consciente, clara y fuerte, que ni la pandemia, ni las voces disonantes nos detengan o boicoteen.

El segundo es tomando protagonismo y expresar nuestras posturas sin temor, con convicción de que solo cuando haya igualdad para todas las personas, que cuando las mujeres se empoderen y se sientan seguras en cualquier lugar, cuando sepan que son dueñas de sus cuerpos, de sus voces, de sus pensamientos, de sus deseos, solo entonces, habrá justicia.

El tercero, juntando, como si fueran hilos de colores, nuestros sueños, ideales y luchas, para que (Acá parafraseo a la teóloga Luzmila Quezada, del Perú) tejamos entre todas y todos, una frazada que nos cobije del frio de la violencia, del irrespeto, de la exclusión, de la misoginia, de la desigualdad, nos arrope con derechos, participación efectiva, una agenda común que nos permita avanzar a mujeres y hombres, creados diferentes pero iguales en derechos. 

Zoraya Urbina

Vice Moderadora de la Comunidad de Práctica de Justicia de Género de América Latina y el Caribe/ Punto focal de Género/Oficial regional de Incidencia del Programa Centroamérica de la Federación Luterana Mundial

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A blanket that shelters us equally

This year, the 65th UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) decided to put women’s participation in public life and how equality in decision-making has a direct link with development as its main theme. As a space for the vindication of women’s rights, the CSW is fundamental to debate, influence, provoke changes and create spaces that are favourable to achieve gender equality in various forms of effective participation of women: political, social, religious, among others.

Therefore, in this annual meeting, various organizations, movements, thinkers, governments, protagonists of different spaces and forums actively participate to place on the agenda their topics of interest to achieve, or not to achieve, equal rights for women. Faith-based organizations and churches are, without a doubt, actors of great value in this meeting. Their participation in working to improve the lives of women is valuable because in their communities they can enable participation and be promoters of rights and be voices that both condemn and promote ways of overcoming gender-based violence.

In this context, the ACT Alliance delegation to the CSW has the mission of bringing the voice of all those who cannot participate and represent them. Achieving this purpose in digital spaces has been a stumbling block, but not an impossible one, since the commitment and desire to generate changes has prevailed and allowed us to be present at this meeting. As a woman, part of this delegation, representing the Gender Justice Community of Latin America and the Caribbean, I have questioned myself about my responsibility to promote an effective understanding of the importance of CSW from the space where I move and participate. To create synergies that contribute to what has been gained so far in achieving rights for all and ensure it does not go backwards.

At the beginning, I thought that what I can do is so small that it would not affect anything. However, when I reflected, I understood that I can cause changes, even if they are small, because if my efforts are added to others, they become greater and that is where they strengthen and become a voice that screams so loud that it is impossible not to hear it. It is no longer just one, but many that amplify the cry that calls for equal rights for all people.

When there are setbacks in what has been gained for the full enjoyment of our rights is when we have to commit the most. How is this done in practice? With a few steps, which may not be the simplest:

The first, by training ourselves on the importance of these spaces, installing knowledge and empowering the women of our communities, of our churches and organizations so that our struggle is joined by the of them, conscious, clear and strong, that neither the pandemic, nor the dissonant voices stop us or boycott us.

The second, is taking center stage and expressing our positions without fear, with the conviction that only when there is equality for all people, that when women are empowered and feel safe everywhere, when they know that they are masters of their bodies, of their voices, their thoughts, their desires, only then will there be justice.

The third, joining, as if they were colored threads, our dreams, ideals and struggles, so that (Here I paraphrase the theologian Luzmila Quezada, from Peru) we knit together a blanket that shelters us from the cold of violence, disrespect, exclusion, misogyny, inequality, we clothe us with rights, effective participation, a common agenda that allows us to advance women and men, created different but equal in rights.

Zoraya Urbina

Co-Chair of the Gender Justice Community of Practice of Latin America and the Caribbean /Gender Focal Point / Regional Advocacy Officer of the Central America Program of the Lutheran World Federation

Challenging and changing social norms is a faith imperative. On 17^th March, faith leaders and faith based organisations shared how they are doing this during a parallel event at the 65^th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.. Practitioners and leaders from India, Tanzania, Mexico, Zimbabwe, UK, Australia and Kenya shared their experience of how to challenge and change a social norm by bringing examples from their respective contexts.

Gender injustice is deeply rooted in social norms, emerging mostly from the premise of religion and culture, including those relating to gender. Those who do not comply with social norms end up paying a heavy price.

At any given moment, many social norms are presented as fixed. The best way to confront social norms is through innovative and collaborative engagements, appealing through reasoning faith- faith that upholds the God-given human rights and dignity of all people, irrespective of their gender.  

The event brough together 7 gender advocates, challenging and changing 7 different but at times interconnected social norms, to achieve gender justice, tackling social norms related to sexual and gender based violence, women in leadership, female genital mutilation, child marriage, masculinities, voting and social protection.

The opening remarks by Reverend Bianca Daébs, Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil, called the church to be prophetic and proactively engaged in challenging social norms. She called upon the faith actors to walk & walk together as it’s not a very easy task.

The first speaker was Dr. Vinu Aram, a representative from Religions for Peace based in India.  She addressed child marriage, which has escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through her work in Shanthi Ashram, joining with other faith groups, change was brought by building people’s self esteem and identifying negative social norms to change.

Prof. Ezra Chitando, who works for the World Council of Churches based in Zimbabwe, tackled the social norm that boys and men can’t cry. He challenged the audience: if they can’t cry for themselves, how will they care for others and be real humans? Reflecting on the Christian scripture of Jesus crying at the death of his friend, he argued that faith texts can be used to tackle social norms, and drove home the importance of the right to emotions like crying .

Faustina Nillan, who works for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and also serves on the Side by Side Tanzania Chair, spoke about how they are working to tackle female genital mutilation (FGM). Faustina shared how FGM is propagated as a sign of beauty, cleanliness, fertility etc., it is simply not the truth. She highlighted the “time travel method” which emphasises the importance of historical and cultural aspects when addressing gender challenges in the community. By creating a safe space, people can question social norms like FGM, and create solutions to the challenges in their community.

Rev. Dr. Ángela del Consuelo Trejo Haager, from the Lutheran World Federation, talked about tackling women’s right to vote in Mexico. She also highlighted the issue of femicide. Women visualized and worked together to move from being non-voters to today being definers of the political agenda. It was a struggle, but women’s persistence in working together brought the changes needed.

Mousumi Saikia, who works for Islamic Relief Worldwide, spoke on domestic violence. Her key message was that religious leaders are the key actors and need to be engaged effectively. Belinda Lauria, who works for Anglican Overseas Aid, shared how they have been able to address family violence by engaging with communities, including training local community leaders- both men and women. These trainings use biblical texts- the same texts which are used to subjugate women can also be used to transform.

Dr. Lydia Mwaniki, Director for Gender and Women at the All Africa Conference of Churches, expressed how important it is for women to be in leadership positions and the need to constantly work towards that norm. Her book Gender and Imagoe Die is a great reference point for women to tackle this issue of leadership. 

Eric Sánchez García, who works at Christian Aid, contributed the closing remarks. Still today 1 in 3 women globally have been subjected to physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes. This does not account for the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on violence against women and girls. What sustains these multiple forms of GBV against women and girls are social norms. Faith leaders are traditional sources of authority within communities, able to influence beliefs, norms and attitudes. Religious leaders are role models and their authority and influence is critical in the process of adopting new norms that promote gender equality.

Coalitions that bring together women right’s organisations, together with allies such as men and faith leaders to jointly tackle power imbalances and gender inequality across different levels will be key in challenging and changing social norms that condone GBV. Speakers during the session affirmed the liberating and healing power of religion to bring in the transformation.

The event was moderated by Joycia Thorat, Church’s  Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA). ACT Alliance, Side by Side, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Lutheran World Federation, Religions for Peace, All Africa Conference of Churches, World Council of Churches, Christian Aid, Anglican Communion jointly co-organized the event as part of the NGO CSW Virtual Forum.

The Virtual Interactive Dialogue on building alliance for women’s full and effective participation in public life, hosted by UN Women as part of the 65^th Session of Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) attracted both state and non-state actors to provide statements on how governments and civil society organisations (CSOs) have promoted women’s participation in decision making spaces life and removed barriers to their participation.

The goal of the session was to reflect on what States and CSOs can do together to increase gender parity, especially given that only 22 countries have a woman head of state, 119 countries have never had a woman leader and only 14 countries have reached a 50:50 gender parity in cabinet (UN Women).

Faith actors remain key in transforming policy and practice. As faith actors ourselves, ACT engages with faith structures and faith communities through our 135 members across 120 countries. The ACT delegation to this year’s CSW is over 60 people strong.

I was privileged to be part of States and CSOs who provided oral statements during the 2-hour long session, where I shared about how ACT Alliance’s work is at the heart of building collaboration and partnerships.  

Alliance building is what drives the membership in ACT for transformative and sustained work towards changing the lives of people and marginalized groups regardless of their gender, politics, race, or religion. ACT’s work supports faith leaders as powerful influencers, who have an ever-increasing role to play in promoting women’s engagement in public life.

Effective alliances require first building faith leaders’ capacity to be valuable allies across multi-faith groups and with CSOs, and- most importantly- for the women. This includes understanding the human rights normative frameworks, using faith inspired methodologies like SASA faith which is based on shared faith values of peace, dignity and justice, and how these interact with gender and power relations in faith communities as well as the first man standing male role modelling strategy which looks at men and boys in their diverse roles in society with an a responsibility to nurture healthy relationships based on notions of positive and transformative masculinity.  Such methodologies facilitate reflections on faith traditions and values which promote gender justice, and many times use the inspiration to revisit the faith traditions- especially those that propagate harmful tradition practices that further the exclusion of women in decision making spaces.

Resulting from the enhanced capacity, we now see many faith actors joining the commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism campaign and sometimes leading country level actions. Faith leaders are transitioning from the pulpit as their only space of influence to parliaments to advocate for progressive laws which promote the safety and security of women, working with the line ministries, Justice Law and Order sectors to monitor the implementation of key legislation and making their voices heard on the situation of women human rights defenders (HRDs). For instance, in Africa, faith leaders are contributing to electoral reforms for more inclusive and democratic processes which bring on board women, monitoring national elections focusing on women’s participation and contributing to gender-based violence policy frameworks.

Governments are open to partner with faith and there is a need to effectively use this window of opportunity, to push the bar beyond the pulpit and to show solidarity with the most vulnerable. In building alliances, faith leaders should continually be guided by the faith values of respect, peace, and love because these enable us to look beyond our differences.

To take inspiration from The International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development CSW65 Round Table session, effective alliances allow us to enlarge the table so that everyone is seen and heard.  

—

Gladys Nairuba is a Programme Officer for Fight Extreme Inequality at DanChurchAid Uganda, and a Co-chair for ACT Alliance Africa Gender Justice Community of Practice and Side by Side a faith movement for gender justice.

35 of the leading aid agencies have joined together to warn of the suffering and increased, irreversible, damage if the growing humanitarian needs in Syria are not met and a political solution is not found. The 35 agencies have highlighted that a decade since the outset of the conflict, living conditions for many Syrians are worse than ever.

The statement reads: 

“Monday March 15th will mark 10 years since the onset of the crisis in Syria. A decade of conflict in Syria risks creating further irreversible impact to millions of displaced civilians and on the region unless world powers use all their influence to stop the crisis. There continues to be violence and indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Inside Syria over 80% of people are living in poverty and food insecurity levels are at a record high. Over 12.4 million people are food insecure and a further 1.8 million are at risk. 12.2 million Syrians lack regular access to clean water and 2.4 million children are currently out of school. The COVID-19 global pandemic has only exacerbated the human suffering. Vital infrastructure, such as hospitals, schools, markets, homes and roads have been damaged or destroyed throughout the conflict. Many that are still standing have become shelters for those displaced by the conflict. Syrians are also facing rising inflation as a result of the declining value of the Syrian Pound, widespread unemployment, and increasingly common fuel shortages. Basic goods are no longer affordable for many, forcing families to reduce the amount of meals they put on the table or trade what little food they do have for medicine.

The protracted displacement crisis as a result of the Syrian conflict is the worst since the Second World War. 5.6 million Syrians remain displaced in neighbouring countries, of which 2.5 million are children. 6.2 million remain internally displaced across different parts of Syria. 

In the neighbouring countries, 5.5 million Syrian refugees and 4.8 million impacted host community members are in need of humanitarian assistance, with COVID-19 increasing poverty and risk of sexual-gender based violence. Most have little legal protections and few livelihood opportunities. Nearly 580,000 Syrian refugees are in need of resettlement, less than 2% have had their cases submitted last year and far more than the resettlement spaces available. The UN is warning that there are record low levels of resettlement.

We call on the international community to step up its aid to Syrians across the country and in refugee-hosting countries and recognise its responsibility to support refugees. Cross-border access into Syria must be maintained, and humanitarian access within the country must also be strengthened. The EU-hosted Brussels V March ministerial conference on March 29th-30th is the best opportunity for the world to show it has not forgotten about Syria and to act to end the growing suffering. We also call on governments with influence over the warring parties to use their pressure to seek an end to this brutal conflict and spare millions more Syrians from the violence. It is essential that we invest both in urgent humanitarian needs and long-term development to help build resilience well into the future. We must allow Syrians to live a better life where income-generating opportunities, repaired homes, functioning public infrastructure, clean water, basic services, and hope for the future are existent and accessible to all – otherwise the impact of a decade of conflict will be irreversible”.

Signed by:

ACT Alliance
Action Against Hunger
Basmeh & Zeitooneh Relief & Development
Cadus e.V.
CAFOD
CARE International
Caritas Germany
Center for Civil Society and Democracy
Christian Aid
Diakonie Katasrophenhilfe
Dorcas
Hurras Network
Humanity & Inclusion
humedica international aid
International Medical Corps
International Rescue Committee
Médecins du Monde
MercyCorps
Orange Organization
Norwegian People’s Aid
Norwegian Refugee Council
Peace Winds Japan
People In Need
Right To Play
Save The Children 
SAMS
Solidarités International
Syria Relief
Syria Relief & Development
Terre des Hommes
Terre des Hommes Italia
Trócaire
WeWorld-GVC
War Child
World Vision

Photo: Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

ACT Alliance is proud to launch it’s newest publication Climate-Resilient, Sustainable, and Low-Emission Livelihoods.

In a period of climate emergency, a more efficient means to secure survival and sustainable development is to find co-beneficial means to address climate-related issues with efficiency. Efficiency is needed because of the deep concern of the impact of the fast-evolving climate hazards on peoples, ecosystems, assets, and overall development. In the past, adaptation options have resulted in trade-offs or maladaptations that had adverse impacts, such as increasing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing gender and social inequality, undermining health conditions, and encroaching on natural ecosystems. Mitigation efforts may also create trade-offs with adaptation objectives, such as when priorities over bioenergy crops and forest regeneration compete with land needs for agricultural adaptation. This may undermine food security, livelihoods, and ecosystem functions and services. 

This series of case studies explores community-based and other livelihood initiatives undertaken by ACT Alliance members.

The document is available in English and Spanish.

On 4th November 2020, hostilities broke out again between the Ethiopia Federal government and the northern regional state of Tigray. Military action resulted in general insecurity, internal and external displacements, and a disruption of livelihoods in the region. At least 1.3 million persons are currently in need of humanitarian assistance, including residents, internally displaced persons, returnees, and over 96,000 Eritrean refugees. ACT Alliance launched a joint appeal on 23rd December 2020 for the response in Ethiopia. ACT-member Lutheran World Federation gave an update on the highly difficult situation in February 2021.

Source: Situation Report – Ethiopia – Tigray Region Humanitarian Update – 28 Feb 2021.pdf (reliefweb.int)

Roles of Ethiopian implementing members

The ACT Ethiopia Forum from the beginning stood in solidarity with the people affected. It called for a peaceful resolution and an immediate stop to the fighting as well as for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to allow relief operations and the protection of all civilians and humanitarian aid workers.

To achieve the desired outcomes of the Ethiopian response, two of the meanwhile four implementing ACT members (Ethiopia Evangelical Church of Mekane Yesus Development and Social Services Commission (EECMY – DASSC), Ethiopia Orthodox Church Development and Inter-Church Aid Commission (EOC-DICAC), and Lutheran World Federation Ethiopia (LWF-ETH)) are working in close cooperation with the refugee and host communities as well as with the targeted population at all levels. After the recent revision of the appeal ETH201, Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) is planning to work through these national forum members as soon as possible. The existing structures (Refugee Council Committees (RCCs), Women’s Association, Youth Association, elders, and religious leaders) were consulted during project planning as their active involvement is paramount in realizing the projects’ goal and objectives during the project implementation.

Coordination and collaboration required

The third implementing member LWF is a direct implementer. The organization has been active in the Amhara region between Addis Ababa and Tigray for years and its regional coordination office (RCO) in Lalibela is equipped with the required staffing and resources to provide overall management and administrative support to the project. LWF coordinates all the activities closely with the government and other humanitarian actors as well as with various clusters at regional and national levels.

Additionally, for peaceful co-existence interventions, the Ethiopia Inter-Religious Council is engaged. After the withdrawal, it will continue to conduct peacebuilding programs at the local level with existing faith communities.

ACT Ethiopia Forum 2019

Committing the forum fee for the Tigray response

In January 2021, the ACT Ethiopia Forum’s eleven national and international ACT-members decided to contribute their annual fees to the Tigray appeal. We asked the Forum Convenor Christoph Schneider-Yattara (PADD-Bread for the World) and the Forum Coordinator Dawit Beza about the background of this decision.

Christoph and Dawit, who had the idea to contribute the Ehtiopia Forum’s annual fees 2021 to the Tigray appeal? 

The Convener brought this to the forum leadership team. We proposed it at the January monthly Forum meeting, and the members accepted it unanimously. In addition, we also re-designated a consultancy fee received from Act for Peace (AfP), Australia, to the appeal. We had received it for a monitoring and evaluation activity carried out on their behalf. AfP consented with our suggestion. 

Why did you think it was important to commit the forum fees to the appeal?

It is to be recalled that the forum in November 2020 had issued a statement regarding the Tigray crisis which called members to mobilize resources –  programmatic, financial, in-kind, and spiritual – to provide an appropriate humanitarian response as soon as access is secured. Committing the forum fees to the appeal can be considered a follow of action to the forum statement. We are grateful for the funding commitment so far from ACT members all over the world but looking at the dire situation in Tigray, our contribution is like a drop in the ocean.

The forum members authorized the forum leadership together with the implementing partners to designate all un-earmarked funds. You decided to evenly (50-50) split all those funds between DASSC and DICAC. What is the background of this decision?

All undesignated funds will be split between DASSC and DICAC until they reach the funding level received by LWF, then we will reassess. 

What are the most urgent needs of people in Tigray?

Food, water, medical supplies are the most urgent needs at this moment. The requesting forum members are now closely working with the regional interim government finance and economic development bureau. The bureau has already signed an agreement and granted go ahead, and the actual implementation such as beneficiary targeting has already been started.

How does the COVID-pandemic affect the situation?

While the COVID-19 pandemic poses a threat to millions of Ethiopians’ immediate health and socioeconomic well-being, the impact deepens for those already in need of humanitarian assistance, especially displaced persons. IDPs, who have been forced to flee their homes to due conflict and disaster, are at higher risk to suffer from immediate and longer-term health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic due to a series of factors, including poor nutrition, insufficient water, overcrowded living conditions, fragmented social networks, and overstretched coping mechanisms. There is a looming disaster to happen in Tigray. No one except those arriving from Addis is wearing masks at all. People said that before the conflict this was very much in force but now, there is total complacency.

What does the Tigray conflict mean to you personally?

Every war is a human tragedy as it not only destroys lives but the social fabric of society. It will take decades to heal and overcome. 

Additional ACT responses

Meanwhile, the ACT Sudan Forum has ramped up efforts to support the tens of thousands of refugees fleeing the conflict in Tigray, launching an appeal targeting vulnerable refugees in the Tunaydbah camp. 

In other parts of the world, ACT members are engaging in advocacy with their own governments. ACT members in Canada came together and wrote a letter to the Canadian Foreign Minister calling for “unhindered, immediate, sustained and full access to the entire Tigray region for the delivery of humanitarian aid to all civilians affected by the fighting in the region, including Eritrean refugees”, as well as a cessation of hostilities and withdrawal of troops.

“Climate change is global, resilience is local.” Climate Dialogue in Asia & the Pacific Region takes place

The first session of the Regional Multi-stakeholder Dialogues for Asia and the Pacific took place online on Tuesday 23rd February. The session titled, “Updates on the Science of Climate Change”, is one of a series of dialogues bringing together scientists, faith based organizations, ACT Alliance members and government representatives in the region together to explore climate change issues.

The event was organized by ACT Alliance, the Asia Climate Change Consortium (ACCC) and in partnership with Christian Aid.

“Climate scientists have a role to play in the climate change discussion”, said Prof. Fredolin Tangang, Professor of Climatology and Physical Oceanography at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) working group on the 5th Assessment Report. “The information needs to be downscaled and refined to the local level”, he stated while sharing his findings on climate downscaling, scenarios and projections in South-East Asia. The scientist warned of more droughts and floods to come in the future, even in years without the “El Nino” phenomenon. Prof. Tangang called for stronger collaboration between scientists, civil society and decision-makers to make the shift towards green economies.

Concrete steps to take

Dr Rosa Perez, Research Fellow at the Manila Observatory, and a climate scientist specializing in hydro-meteorology, disaster risk reduction and adaptation policies on climate change, spoke about vulnerability impacts and the evolving adaptation approach. Dr Perez summarized the findings of the 6th IPCC assessment report, highlighting relevant data concerning climate change and also showing how socio-economic factors might change in the years to come. Dr Perez highlighted the importance of climate finance for vulnerable countries and communities and noted the significance of integrating climate risks into policy. Dr. Perez also called for the need to ensure that budget decisions and investments are made towards locally led adaptation. “Climate change is global, but resilience is local,” she stated.

Local solutions to global problems

Ms Debora Dian Ulami of ACT member YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU), winner of the 2019 ACT Alliance Resilience Award, shared YEU’s experiences building resilience in the Yogyakarta Province and confirmed Dr. Perez’ conclusion that resilience was local.

YEU’s project provided resources and support to strengthen grassroots women’s capacities by providing training, disaster simulation, peer-learning and dialogue with decision-makers and positioned women as experts in vulnerability mapping, empowering them to take the lead in determining resilient and sustainable practices. Community-based organizations were also presented with an opportunity for peer learning exchange and the chance to get involved in public forums at the national and global level.

This dialogue has been made possible through the support of ACT member, Brot für die Welt (BftW), through ACT’s Climate Justice project, “Faith actors enhancing inclusive, ambitious and sustainable climate policy and action in accordance with the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.”

A recording of the session is available here.

This article previously appeared on the Lutheran World Federation website

LWF and partners to start humanitarian response

(LWI) – From everyday life into chaos: For the people affected by the recent conflict in Ethiopia, life as they knew it ended abruptly with the military offensive in the Tigray region. Even before, many had felt tensions between different factions.

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) through its humanitarian arm LWF World Service, has been present in Ethiopia for 50 years. Its member church, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), also has a diaconal agency, the Development and Social Services Commission (DASSC), which is working with LWF World Service in supporting people in need.

Together, they assessed the needs of the internally displaced people (IDP) in Tigray in order to better support them. They met people affected by the conflict. Below, LWF Ethiopia country representative Sophia Gebreyes, shares the stories of four families.

After long delays due to lack of humanitarian access, LWF World Service and EECMY-DASSC started their response in Southern Tigray and Mekelle in early February. LWF will provide water and sanitation (WASH), and other relief items, as well as livelihood support, protection, and peacebuilding services. They will work through the local infrastructure of EECMY-DASSC.

Hawultie school, Mekelle

Amanuel Yemane*, 66, was born in in Hayk Mehsel. Following the famine in the mid 80s, he was forcibly resettled in the mid-eighties to Humera where he became a farmer.

After years of working on the fields, he bought land in Tirkani where he began to grow sesame and sorghum. He made good money as Humera sesame seeds are renowned worldwide for making tahini. Hadish was able to provide well for his seven children.

The Tigray conflict broke out in the middle of harvest time. Yemane had already harvested his sesame, but the traders in town refused to buy it and told him to leave instead. The sorghum, which was still in his field, was looted by militia. Yemane believes he was targeted because of his ethnicity.

Yemane lost a good harvest because of the conflict, which would have earned him more than a yearly farmer’s income. He also lost several oxen, 25 goats and his home. All the money the family owned had been invested on the fields and in the stables.

The war separated his family. Three of his older children were living in Mai Kadra, where militia committed a massacre on 12 November. They managed to flee to Sudan before it happened.

Yemane and his four younger children walked 560 kilometers to the provincial capital Mekelle. The journey took 18 days. They now live in the Hawultie School in Mekelle, an IDP site for people from Western Tigray. Here they depend on the generosity of the local people, who share what little they have. For weeks, humanitarian organizations were not allowed to enter the Tigray region. The refugees have received very little humanitarian assistance.

Yemane wonders what will happen to the displaced people who have been housed in eight schools in and around Mekelle, when those school open again for regular classes. The schools have been closed because of COVID-19, but were scheduled to open again in February. Nobody knows of arrangements, and the IDPs fear that they will have to leave again, adding anxiety to an already traumatic situation.

Ethio-China Friendship School, Mekelle

Saron Abraha*, 30, fled from Axum, the cradle of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, and revered as the holiest site in Ethiopia. She and her husband Kiflom* have five children and the sixth is on the way. They fled Axum when they heard the first explosions two and a half months ago. Since then, they have been living at a refugee center which was set up in the Ethio-China Friendship School, Mekelle. The center is overcrowded, and lacks basic sanitation facilities and services.

Abraha fled from Axum, carrying her two-year old toddler on her back. Her husband carried the five-year-old. The remaining children, aged 7, 13 and 17, had to walk the 225 km journey on foot. Saron said the trek was difficult and there was no food and water to be had along the way. Sometimes they would come across soldiers who would take pity on them and share their rations with the children.

Abraha’s family lived with her mother and brother in-law in Axum, but was separated from them. “I don’t even know where they are, if they are dead or alive, or if our house is still standing. We have absolutely no news,” Abraha said: “We were lucky that we fled in the early days of the conflict. I thank God that we did not see bodies on the highway and witness heavy fighting.”

Gebre Michael Seyoum* 28, is a newly-married man. He lived with his wife Asqual Tewolde, 24, his younger brother and his parents in Endaga Arbi, near Adwa, a town with an old and proud history. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science but worked as a truck driver as there were no other jobs in his town.

When the war broke out, his elderly parents could not flee with him, so he made the difficult decision to seek safety with his wife and his younger brother. During the chaos, he was separated from his wife and his brother. Recently he received the news that his brother was shot but still has no news whether he survived his injuries. He also has no news about his wife’s whereabouts and whether or not his parents are safe.

Seyoum was visibly distressed when he recounted their ordeal. He recalled that he left Adwa in a group of 20 people. Only eight of them made it to Mekelle. They trekked for four days, sleeping in trees, hiding from wild animals and armed groups. On his way to Mekelle, Siye saw many dead people.

Once in Mekelle, they were received in the Kesanet School collective center. When the center became crowded, he was moved to Ethio-China Friendship School, where the government had set up a center for people displaced from Central Tigray.

Seyoum arrived in the school about two and a half months ago. The refugee accommodation in the school is well organized, but there are immense gaps: lack of mattresses, beddings, linens, water and relief goods. There is not enough space. More than 1,606 IDPs live in eight rooms, sharing four wash basins. More people arrive every day.

Refugees for a second time

Kidusan Tekle*, 32 and her husband Mebratu Haile* left Eritrea to seek asylum in Ethiopia six years ago. Since their arrival they have been living in Hitsas Refugee Camp where their children Surab 5, Berhane, 5, and Mariam 3 months old were born.

During the Tigray conflict, the refugee camps in Hitsas and Shimelba were shot at with grenades. Those who did not die, fled the camps, becoming refugees for a second time. The continuous shelling, seeing dead bodies and losing 12 of their friends is a trauma that they still live with today.

After escaping from the camp, they first went to the UNHCR office in Shire where they had to sleep on the ground, in the open with no support whatsoever. The family decided to continue to Mekelle on foot, some 245 km. On arrival in Mekelle they were welcomed by EECMY-DASSC, which has been hosting the family in a church until now.

The family has neither been registered with UNHCR nor the Ethiopian refugee administration ARRA, and they depend entirely on the support they receive from the church. Kidusan said that they are so traumatized by what they saw and lived through that they do not want to return to a refugee camp as some refugees have. If they can they would like to continue and live in Addis Ababa.

The church had taken in a total of 11 Eritrean refugee families and 19 people without family, but all have left apart from the Kidusans family. Some went on to make a life in Addis Ababa, others relocated to the Mai Aïyni refugee camp, and some have disappeared. The refugees have no reliable sources for news. Kidusan estimates that thousands fled the camps when the conflict started.

Water, sanitation and peacebuilding

LWF has started to provide WASH and other relief items, as well as livelihood support, protection, and peacebuilding services. Part of the LWF response is coordinated through the ACT Alliance Ethiopia Forum, in strong partnership with other faith-based and ecumenical partners.

Together, all partners aim to support over 250,000 people affected by the conflict in Tigray and the surrounding provinces of Amhara, Afar, and Konso. The response will last for a year.

LWF/ S. Gebreyes. Edited by LWF/ C. Kästner

*All Names have been changed to protect the people concerned