ACT Alliance is the leading faith-based alliance in humanitarian response, working with faith and humanitarian actors at the global, regional, national, and community levels. ACT harnesses the combined strength of its members in delivering humanitarian response at scale and with considerable reach through joint programming approaches.
We commit to an effective ecumenical response that saves lives and maintains dignity, irrespective of race, gender, belief, nationality, ethnicity, or political persuasion. Humanitarian needs define our priorities and the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence guide our actions. We remain committed to strengthening the resilience of affected communities and to being accountable to people and communities affected by a crisis. The ACT Alliance Secretariat adheres to the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability and is committed to the Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response.
Since launch of the revised ACT Humanitarian Policy, US$82 million was mobilised for ACT’s Humanitarian Appeals in the period 2022 – 2025.
ACT Emergency Appeal coverage (the total amount of funds generated versus budget) has risen from 28% to 40% from 2018 to 2025.
Pilot Triple Nexus Appeal launched in Iraq & Jordan in 2025 in line with commitment made at the 2024 ACT General Assembly in Yogyakarta.
Launch of plan for Expansion of Rapid Response Fund with appointment of dedicated RRF Manager (effective October 2025).
Through its national, regional and sub-regional forums ACT Alliance provides humanitarian and emergency preparedness support to local communities helping them during a crisis and to become more resilient.
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The Rapid Response Fund is an innovative funding mechanism designed to put local communities at the centre of decision-making and is recognised as one of few such funding mechanisms across the sector.
The RRF provides valuable opportunities to demonstrate the niche of faith actors in humanitarian response as we work closely with local ACT members and their community networks. On average, the RRF funds 20 emergencies annually and responses are implemented within six months.
The primary mechanism for large scale or global emergencies, including protracted crises: ACT Alliance raises an appeal to its membership with both requesting and funding members co-owning the process. Appeals are open for funding during their entire project period and accessible to both national and international ACT Alliance members.
Consortia represent a new funding mechanism for ACT Alliance. As part of Emergency Preparedness planning, consortiums are established before a disaster strikes and consortium members share a vision and strategic focus. Members self-organise and develop their own financial management models and programme strategies supported by the EPRP process and tools.
Emergency preparedness and response planning is integral to the strengthening of ACT Alliance’s capacity to respond effectively in emergencies through joint programming.
ACT national and regional forums develop emergency preparedness and response plans (EPRPs), working collaboratively to understand potential disaster risks and plan how to respond to emergencies quickly and effectively. Forum EPRPs are accessible by members through an online platform, which can be viewed by other members who may be interested to support them. ACT Forums use specific ACT guidelines and tools to support the process of developing an EPRP which is reviewed regularly.
As part of the holistic and integrated approach to humanitarian response, development and advocacy, ACT’s emergency preparedness and humanitarian response is supported by stronger humanitarian coordination and advocacy with stakeholders and duty bearers.
In the current strategic period our advocacy focuses on three banner commitments to the Grand Bargain at the World Humanitarian Summit where ACT has made significant investments and where member engagement is quite strong: the localisation agenda and the primary role of national/local members and local faith actors; demonstrating the important role of faith actors in humanitarian response; and strengthening of cash-based programming across the humanitarian sector.
UN OCHA estimated 2 million people were affected by the typhoon Goni as it traversed across northern and southern Philippines, of which 1.1 million are poor. The Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) reported about 517,172 people are staying in government evacuation centers or with friends and family and estimates 27,750 houses damaged. Several municipalities still do not have power and water supply as supply lines have been destroyed by the typhoon. Photos from the affected areas particularly Catanduanes, Albay, and Camarines Sur show that houses have been destroyed by strong winds or flooded. Typhoon Goni affected the same area as typhoon Molave (local name: Quinta) a week before. Some areas will also be affected by tropical storm Atsani (local name: Siony) that entered the Philippine area of responsibility right behind Goni. Philippines has also one of the highest cases of COVID-19 infection in the world with more than a thousand new cases daily that containment measures are still in effect. ACT Philippines Forum plans to respond to the disaster. RRF 082020 Philippines Typhoon Goni
Since September 1, 2020, news of a migrant caravan (which refers to a considerable number of migrants who take refuge in the protection offered by traveling in a group in their journey to the United States) circulated on social networks, the caravan left from San Pedro Sula Bus Station the 30th of September. The local press did not mention the event, but this event was highlighted by the international press. According to OCHA reports, between 3,500-4,000 people were in this group. On the same day, the Guatemalan government deported 50 people. Despite the efforts of civil society organizations[1]to demand respect for the human rights of migrants in this new exodus, Guatemala issued a new “Early Warning in Border Zones” protocol, which empowers the civilian population to monitor and report migrants, exacerbating xenophobia, discrimination, and abuses. In addition, on October 1, the president of Guatemala decreed a State of Prevention in all border departments from the Petén to the Pacific and ordered security forces to detain the Honduran migrants, return them to the border, and turn them over to the authorities in Honduras. Guatemala justifies these measures due to the current health emergency of COVID-19; however, behind this is its alignment with the anti-immigration policy of the United States, in part expressed in the Safe Third Country agreements, which included the immediate militarization, repression, and criminalization of the migrant caravan. [1]Such as the Franciscan Network of Migrants, Pop Noj and Volunteers of Casa Peregrina de Guatemala, Pastoral de Movilidad Humana (PMH), FONAMIH and Radio Progreso de Honduras in Central America and Mexico RRF 07 2020 HND Migrant Caravan
ACT Alliance is pleased to announce launching a total of 16 Sub-Appeals under the Global ACT Appeal for the COVID-19 Pandemic (ACT201). In addition, 17 Rapid Response Fund proposals have also been approved. The following Sub-Appeals are now available for consideration by ACT members and potential funders/donors: 1. Afghanistan/Pakistan: Humanitarian Response to COVID-19 affected Communities in Pakistan and Afghanistan – ACT201-AFG/PAK. Budget Approved by the Steering Committee to be funded by ACT201: USD1,000,000; Budget Requested: USD3,702,121. 2. Bangladesh: COVID-19 Response to Refugees and Host Communities in Bangladesh – ACT201-BGD. Budget Requested: USD998,638 3. Cameroon: Reduced morbidity and mortality of COVID 19 pandemic and increased preparedness and resilience of communities through public health interventions and community engagement in Cameroon – ACT201-CMR. Budget Requested USD132,149 4. Caribbean Region: COVID-19 Response in the Caribbean – ACT201-CRB. Budget Requested: USD749,683 5. Central America: Inclusive and safe access to humanitarian assistance, by strengthening livelihoods and promoting alternatives to water and basic sanitation (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene); improved conditions of vulnerability through Community-Based Psychosocial support (CPSA) and awareness about gender-based violence in its different manifestations. Central America COVID-19 Regional Response - ACT201-CAM. Budget Requested: USD936,103 6. Democratic Republic of Congo: Preparedness and response to primary impacts of COVID-19 on IDPs, returnees, hard to reach and vulnerable populations in North Kivu and South Kivu, DRC – ACT201-COD. Budget Requested: USD300,879 7. Greece: Emergency support to the most vulnerable Greeks and Refugees suffering from the COVID-19 Pandemic – ACT201-GRC. Budget Requested: USD498,151 8. India: Humanitarian Assistance to vulnerable and affected communities of the COVID –19 Pandemic – ACT201-IND. Budget Requested: USD856,702 9. Jordan: ACT Response to Refugees and Jordanians impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic –ACT201-JOR. Budget Requested: USD844,690 10. Palestine: ACT Response to Refugees and Vulnerable communities Impacted by COVID-19 in Palestine and Israel – ACT201-PSE. Budget Requested: USD718,000 11. Somalia: ACT Multi-Sectoral and Integrated COVID-19 Response in Somalia – ACT201-SOM. Budget Requested: USD1,000,000 12. South Sudan: South Sudan Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic – ACT201-SSD. Budget Requested: USD994,793 13. Southern Africa: To contribute to prevention, management and stopping the spread of COVID-19 through provision of healthcare services to targeted community members in Zambia, Malawi and Madagascar – ACT201-SARF. Budget Requested USD570,000 14.Tanzania: COVID-19 Response in Tanzania - ACT201-TZA. Budget requested USD989, 066 15. Ukraine: Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ukraine – ACT201-UKR. Budget requested USD 355,000 16. Venezuela: Improve protection and assist populations that are most vulnerable to the pandemic, thereby especially addressing needs of IDP’s, migrants and host communities ACT201-VEN. Budget Requested: USD600,000 17. West Africa: Preparedness and response to primary and secondary impacts of COVID-19 on IDPs, Returnees, hard to reach and vulnerable populations in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Sierra Leone ACT201-WARF. Budget Requested: USD971,000 Total Sub-appeals Funding Requested: USD 12,514,854 Rapid Response Fund proposals approved 1. Afghanistan: Community World Service Asia (CWSA) will provide cash to 580 at risk households to support their basic needs, as well as 200 PPE kits for 2 health facilities. 2. Armenia: Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) will provide food assistance to 2545 households and health services to older people in remote areas. 3. Bangladesh: Christian Commission for Development (CCDB) in Bangladesh will provide food and hygiene supplies to 5000 households of daily workers who have lost their livelihoods during the lockdown. 4. Brazil: Coordenadoria Ecumênica de Serviço (CESE) will provide food packages to 4200 indigenous households in the Amazon region, Mato Grosso do Sul and Rio Grande do Sul. 5. Cuba: Cuban Council of Churches (CIC) will provide protection kits for health personnel from 2 isolation centres, 880 people with personal hygiene kits, food to 140 patients at an isolation centre, and psychosocial support to 2000 people. 6. Egypt: The Bishopric of Public, Ecumenical and Social Services (BLESS) will provide hygiene kits and food to 3000 households, and will work with local faith leaders to disseminate key messages on infection prevention and good hygiene, as well as reducing fear and stigma. 7. Ghana: The Presbyterian Church in Ghana- Relief Services and Development (PRS&D) will provide food to 1500 households, handwashing stations in 10 communities, and protective equipment to vulnerable households and three health centres. 8. Haiti: Service Chrétien d’Haïti (SCH) will engage in a community-led response to raise awareness of COVID-19, encourage families to take appropriate steps to prevent the disease, and provide food to support 420 families losing their daily wage income during lockdown. 9. Honduras: Comisión de Acción Social Menonita (CASM) will provide biosecurity kits to 40 medical staff in 10 primary health units, cash transfers for food purchases to 1650 families, and COVID-19 prevention and anti-stigma information to 7000 people. 10. Indonesia: Pelkesi, Yakkum Emergency Unit (YEU) and the Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Community Development Studies will provide PPE and psychosocial support to staff at five COVID-19 referral hospitals, and will reach 10,000 with an information campaign about prevention and mitigation of COVID-19. 11. Lebanon: Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees of the Middle East Council of Churches (DSPR-MECC) will target 440 households including Syrian families living in the camps for cash grants that will be utilised for food, drinking water, medicines, hygien kits, and rent subsidies. 12. Malawi: Christian Agency for Rural Development (CARD) and Evangelical Lutheran Development Service (ELDS) will provide an awareness campaign to reach 2.4 million people with accurate information about COVID-19 and its prevention, and will work with local faith leaders to provide psychosocial support to affected families. 13. Peru: Diaconia Peru will provide free virtual counselling to 12,000 vulnerable people in Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Colombia, with an emphasis on the prevention of gender-based and family violence. Local faith leaders will be trained in GBV prevention and pastoral responses to illness and bereavement. Additionally, 600 vulnerable families will receive food and PPE support. 14. Philippines: The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) will provide food packs, sanitation and hygiene kits, and unconditional cash grants to 1500 vulnerable families. 15. Serbia: Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization (EHO) and Philanthropy- The Charitable Fund of the Serbian Orthodox Church will provide food packages to 3000 people, hygiene packages to 4300 people, PPE for frontline workers, shelter for homeless people, psychosocial support to 130 people (focusing on gender), and engagement with faith and religious leaders and groups to provide awareness raising. 16. Tanzania: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), through its network of hospitals and local health facilities, will provide PPE for 480 frontline medical professionals, work with 50 bishops and high-level religious workers on information and awareness messaging, and medical interventions for 25,000 high-risk people to reduce new infections and allay fears and anxiety. 17. Uganda: Church of Uganda will provide food assistance to 50 households and communicate to the communities the risk of COVID-19 and its infection prevention. The Church will also engage faith leaders to raise awareness on GBV and provide psycho-social support. Please communicate all pledges and/or funding opportunities to the Head of Humanitarian Affairs, Alwynn Javier (alwynn.javier@actalliance.org), with copy to the Finance Officer, Marjorie Schmidt (marjorie.schmidt@actalliance.org).
While Lebanon is already struggling from the financial crisis, economic contractions and the USD devaluation, and hosting large number of refugees. A warehouse at the Beirut Port containing large quantities of ammonium nitrate exploded on 4 August 2020. After an initial explosion, a subsequent blast caused widespread damage, with reports of damage more than 20 km from the port area. Hundreds of buildings including grain silos storing around 85 percent of the country’s grain, and numerous residential places have been damaged or destroyed, including many healthcare facilities and several major hospitals in the Greater Beirut area, due to the blast. Official reports estimate that more than 160 people were killed, over 5,000 injured, and more than 300,000 people left homeless in the Greater Beirut area/Mount Lebanon. LEB201-Lebanon Emergency Response
The worst desert locust outbreak in decades is underway in East and the Greater Horn of Africa. According to experts, this is the worst outbreak in over 25 years in Ethiopia and Somalia and the worst observed in over 70 years in Kenya (The Guardian, April 2020). Already, over 11.9 million people in the region are already experiencing severe acute food insecurity due to erratic/poor rains, floods, conflict, and the effects of border restriction brought about by COVID-19 pandemic within the five countries. The desert locust crisis poses an additional potential threat to the food security of another 20.1 million (FAO, January 2020). Recent floods across the Horn and East Africa have created favourable breeding conditions for the desert locust. These conditions have allowed breeding to continue until July 2020 and the favourable conditions could lead to 500 times more locusts (according to FAO. ACT Forums in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda have consolidated a regional appeal in response to the Desert Locust Invasion. Horn & East Africa_ Desert Locust Response (HEA201)
The Government of Lebanon declared a two-week state of emergency in Beirut after the Port explosion on August 4,2020. While Lebanon is already struggling from the financial crisis, economic contractions and the USD devaluation, and hosting large number of refugees, this explosion came to deepen the crises and put extra pressure on both the Lebanese population, the Lebanese government, and the refugee communities. The explosion at Beirut Port caused widespread damage reaching more than 20 km from the port area. Official reports estimate that more than 250 people were killed, around a 100 still missing, over 5,000 injured, and more than 300,000 people left homeless in the Greater Beirut area/Mount Lebanon. RRF06- Beirut Explosion
Background
May 31st: tropical depression 2-e is reclassified as Tropical Storm Amanda. In 3 hours, 10% of the average annual rainfall had hit El Salvador. On Sunday the 1st of June, El Salvador’s government declared a Red Alert.
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On the morning of Thursday 12 to 14 March 2020, the country of Egypt was aggressively attacked by rainfall caused flooding in multiple populated areas (Eleven governorates in Egypt), causing massive property damages and loss of human life. ACT local national member BLESS response will be providing immediate relief through the cash distribution to 60 houses in (6) affected communities, accompanied with hygiene promotion and awareness raising of flood safety and environment. RRF03-Floods Emergency in Egypt
Floods and landslides in south Western Uganda have caused devastating effects. Heavy rains that saw major rivers burst their banks have displaced and affected an estimated 8,266 households who are sheltering at Schools and churches. The overall coordination of this action will be spearheaded by ACT member, Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC). The response will target Pregnant and lactating women, children under five, and the Elderly with food, non-food items and shelter support. Uganda_Floods Emergency RRF No. 04
In just eleven weeks from January through to mid-March 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19 has progressed from a discrete outbreak in one Chinese city, to clusters of cases in many countries, through to a pandemic with most countries reporting cases, and many countries experiencing significant outbreaks. The current context in many countries is such that urban agglomerations and informal settlements have grown tremendously (e.g. Delhi, Kolkata, Dhaka, Manila, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Sao Paolo), and mega-camps have been maintained to cope with massive and protracted displacements (e.g. Darfur, Dadaab, Zaatari, Cox’s Bazar). In addition, people on the move (e.g., Venezuela, Central America, Turkey-Greece border, Syria-Turkey border, Sahel, etc.) are a major vulnerable group, with infections expected to rise exponentially when COVID-19 hits small shelters and holding/detention centers. ACT Alliance Secretariat and members have established coordination mechanisms at the global, regional and national levels. ACT Forums/Forum Members are working on developing a Global Appeal that is largely grounded on the overall principles set out by the IASC in the Global Humanitarian Response Plan to respond to the emerging needs and aid the development and implementation of COVID-19 programs with a budget of USD 12,000,000. COVID-19 Global ACT Appeal - updated Annex 2 - Summary of Country Contexts and ACT Capacity Call for Proposals - ACT COVID-19 Appeal COVID 19 RRF Template Summary of Approved RRF Proposals Infographic of the appeal Two-page summary of the appeal Updated Call for Proposals - ACT COVID-19 Appeal COVID 19 Appeal Template COVID 19 Appeal Budget
Erratic and poorly distributed rainfall in Zimbabwe for two years has resulted in a severe drought affecting the Provinces of Matabeleland North and South. The same eastern region is yet to recover from unprecedented flooding from Cyclones Idai and Kenneth. Humanitarian needs include food assistance, emergency health and nutrition support, increased access to safe water and reviving the market system. Zimbabwe’s food security situation is growing ever more precarious as millions of Zimbabweans require food assistance. Five members from Zimbabwe ACT Forum members, Methodist Development and Relief Agency (MeDRA), Lutheran Development Services (LDS), DanChurchAid (DCA), Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) and Christian Aid (CA) have raised an appeal to respond to the drought in the sectors of Cash programs, Food assistance/Security, WASH, Climate Smart Agriculture, Emergency Preparedness and Protection. Zimbabwe_Drought Emergency.
Madagascar is a country particularly exposed to high impact weather phenomena and also one of the countries most impacted by cyclones in the world. This year, in January 2020 Madagascar’s West Coast has been struck by a large and long-lasting tropical depression characterized by heavy rains of up to 100 litres per m² within one hour, since the beginning of January 2020. The floods have caused massive damage and death and the government of Madagascar on 25th January 2020, declared the floods a national emergency. The Government of Madagascar launched an appeal on January 24th to all national actors and international partners, to call for assistance to support emergency aid activities, early recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction. In this response, the two ACT national members will target approximately 5,000 Households along the West Coast of Madagascar within the sectors of WASH, Livelihoods and unconditional cash response. Madagascar_Flood Emergency MDG201
During the night of Tuesday the 18 February 2020, the province of Quispicanchis, Cusco and Huancané, Puno in Peru, was affected by hailstorm and heavy rains resulting in damage and loss of crops such as potatoes, corn, wheat, quinoa, fava beans, barley, edible plants that are the main sources of food and income. Additionally, houses and animal sheds have been affected in their roofs and walls, putting in danger the life and health of approximately 1,500 peasant families, especially the ones with children under five years-old and the elderly. This situation is continuing and has caused the collapse of some house walls and animal sheds, calamine's of the rooftop are broken allowing the downpour get into the houses and damaging mattresses and house stuff, and causing respiratory diseases in children and elderly people. Peru Floods Hailstorm and heavy rains in Cusco and Puno
On the morning of Monday 2 March 2020, the region of of Tumbes, Northern Lima, Ica, Junin, and San Martin in Peru, was notified with an increased endemic level of the Aedes aegypti, the main vector of the viruses Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya. The Epidemiology Offices of the Regional Health Directorates have reported the following number of confirmed cases per region: Ica, 27 cases; Northern Lima, 6 cases; Junín, 414 cases; Tumbes, 40 cases; San Martin, 664, cases. It should be noted that, in the first five weeks of 2020, there have been 12 deaths from dengue in and a total of 5,480 cases. Peru: Dengue outbreak
| On the morning of Tuesday, the 3rd March 2020 six out of nine regional states namely - Afar, Amhara, Oromia, Somali, Tigray and Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’, as well as the administrative city of Dire Dawa, were affected by a desert locust invasion. The desert locust invasion if not controlled could cause large scale-scale crop, pasture, and forest cover losses. The Ethiopian government Ministry of Agriculture has conducted aerial control operations and treated 22, 500 ha but the scale of the problem is unprecedented since so far, the locusts have only been intercepted in 1,033km2. As control operations need to be scaled up, Ethiopia national Disaster Risk Management together with Ethiopia Agriculture Task Force in collaboration with FAO has initiated an assessment of the impact of the locust invasion in Ethiopia and findings would be shared mid-March 2020. ACT Ethiopia Forum is monitoring the situation and emergency teams are ready/preparing to respond according to the results of a contextual analysis and rapid needs assessment. Ethiopia_Desert Locust Infestation Alert |
During the night of Sunday 26 January 2020, the district of Kilwa in Lindi region, Tanzania was hit by floods caused by heavy rainfalls which continued for three days from 23rd to 25th January 2020. According to the local District Commissioner’s office, at least 7 persons have lost their lives. Rescue teams are using boats to save lives by relocating affected families to temporary camps mostly in school buildings. Tanganyika Christian Refugees Service (TCRS) a national ACT member is monitoring the situation and emergency teams are ready/preparing to respond according to the results of contextual analysis. Tanzania_Flood Alert
The Government of Madagascar has declared the flooding situation in Madagascar a national Emergency after heavy rainfall and flooding caused by a tropical disturbance affected nearly 107,000 people, displaced more than 16,000, and caused at least 31 deaths in Madagascar since 20th January 2020. The situation has led to massive floods, including a rapid rise of rivers with enormous water flow, corresponding landslides and massive destruction of the surrounding infrastructure (roads and bridges) and agricultural areas. ACT Madagascar Forum Member FJKM (The Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar) which is the second-largest Christian denomination in Madagascar have mobilized their volunteer network and have started to respond. Madagascar_Flood Alert.
The Philippines has been seeing a succession of disasters since December 2019 that have so far affected about 5.7 million people across the country. Overall these have taken a significant toll on the capacities of the government and other actors to support the affected population. All three major island groups have been hit: typhoon and volcanic eruption in Luzon, typhoon in Visayas, and earthquake in Mindanao. Across these areas, it has been difficult for affected people to restore their assets particularly their homes and livelihoods. The government estimates that almost USD 2 million worth of agriculture have been affected and economic losses of more than USD60 million, and the situation is not expected to improve very soon. ACT Philippines Forum plans to submit a single Appeal for these disasters with NCCP as lead requesting member. The ACT Appeal will define a comprehensive and strategic approach for responding, considering the multiplicity of needs in a wide geographic location and mindful of the limited resources and capacities available within the ACT Forum. ALERT Philippines Multi Disasters
Continuous and heavy rainfall caused flooding in Jakarta and its surrounding cities for two days during new year. Poorly maintained rivers, lack of water infiltration and littering has resulted in the rise of the water levels at many points in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (Jabodetabek). As of 4 January, there are about 173,000 people have been displaced in 207 sub-districts of Jabodetabek as reported by National Disaster Management Authority of Indonesia (BNPB) with 53 dead. About 409,000 have been affected by the floods. ACT Indonesia Forum have been coordinating. Jakarta-based Indonesian Christian Association for Health Services (ICAHS/PELKESI), in partnership with Salvation Army and Gereja Kristen Indonesia (GKI), has started its relief operations by providing medical services in selected Jakarta areas and have already served 158 people. They will continue their work in Bekasi in the coming days. PELKESI plans to access ACT Alliance’s Rapid Response Fund to continue their health services in flood-affected areas. ALERTS Indonesia Jakarta Flood
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that typhoon Phanfone (local name: Ursula) 600,142 families or 2,431,821 persons were affected in 2,702 barangays (villages) in MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and CARAGA regions. About 19,553 families or 77,989 individuals are still staying in government designated evacuation centers. Twelve municipalities in nine provinces have declared a State of Calamity. About 428,781 houses were damaged. In the afternoon of Tuesday the 24 December 2019, the province of Salcedo, Eastern Samar in the Philippines, Phanfone made its first landfall with sustained wind speeds of 120 kph and gusts of up to 150 kph. The storm brought heavy rain and violent winds as it traversed the Visayas region of Central Philippines, taking a similar path as typhoon Haiyan in 2013. It exited the landmass through Mindoro and Palawan provinces on December 28, making seven landfalls overall. ACT Philippines Forum, through National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) plans to raise an appeal. ALERT Philippines Typhoon Phanfone
The humanitarian crisis in Iraq remains one of the largest and most volatile in the world. The pace of displacement over the past four and a half years is nearly without precedent with more than 5.4 million people displaced since the rise of the Islamic State (IS). The 2019 Iraq Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) states 6.7 million people continue to be in need, and although 4.3 million people have returned to their place of origin, 1.7 million people remain internally displaced. At present 721,000 IDP’s and 241, 000 Syrian refugees reside within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), many of whom have remained in prolonged displacement since the beginning of the Syrian conflict in 2011. Act Iraq forum is preparing an appeal to respond to the needs of the affected communities. Act members: CA, DCA, HIA and LWF are getting ready for a response in Iraq targeting Shelter/ NFI’s, WASH, Livelihoods, Protection and Mine action sectors. Call-4-Action_Iraq_Humanitarian_Crisis
The Syrian crisis is in entering its tenth year of protracted conflict causing a UN declared level three humanitarian emergency. The past and present hostilities compounded with the continued massive displacement of populations, remain the main drivers of humanitarian needs. As such the Syrian crisis remains the largest displacement crisis in the world, with over 5.6 million registered refugees and over 6 million people displaced within Syria. Jordan hosts 671,074 registered Syrian refugees. Lebanon hosts 1.5 million Syrian refugees along with 31,502 Palestine Refugees from Syria, and a pre-existing population of more than 175,000 Palestine Refugees. With this Lebanon is on street demonstration for over that 55 days demanding change in the government, which put the country on hold, with negative affect of the Lebanese population in general and more specific on the refugees mainly affected quality of life, purchase power, disrupted of social cohesion as well as economic investment, devaluation of local currency and ongoing sanction that affect food and health supply. North East Syria recent developments also worsen the situation, as the number of people living in camps in the northeast has almost tripled in 2019. Act JSL forum is preparing an appeal to respond to the needs of the affected communities. Act members: DSPR, FCA, LWF and MECC are getting ready for a response in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon targeting shelter/NFI, Food Security, WASH, Education, Protection/Psycho-social, Livelihood/Early Recovery, Health/Nutrition, and capacity building sectors. Call-4-Action_Syria_Humanitarian_Crisis
In the afternoon of Sunday the 8 December 2019, cyclone Belna passed the region of the entire western coastline in Madagascar. While the eye of the cyclone moves near to the coast in the channel between Mozambique and Madagascar, the coastal areas of Madagascar are getting affected with heavy rains and wind up to 200 km/h. The entire catchment of cyclone Belna has actual a width of 200 km and a rotating wind speed of approximately 150 km/h which is still speeding up (source Metrological Department for Madagascar). As a result, the northwest of Madagascar is experiencing heavy rains and strong winds with a high possibility of flooding affecting very isolated areas with challenging road access. Tropical Cyclone Belna will bring impacts to Madagascar into the middle of the week and strong winds can result in damage to homes and cause significant power cuts and tree damage. The cyclone is foreseen to develop up to category 4 and will touch land on December 9th somewhere between Mahajanga and Tulear, situated in the West / South West of Madagascar and pass the Southern part of the Island before leaving on the open Indian Ocean. ACT Madagascar Forum members are planning to submit a funding request to respond to affected communities. Madagascar_Cyclone Belna.
Moderate to heavy Deyr seasonal rains, which started in early October in many parts of Somalia have continued to be received across the country. The regions of Gedo, Nugaal and Hiran in Somalia are the most affected, with these regions heavily flooded. Recent updates by Somalia NGO consortium indicate that over half a million people have been affected by floods and an estimated 370,000 people have fled homes submerged in floodwater. The Ethiopian highlands, where the Juba and Shabelle rivers originate, also received moderate to heavy rains over recent weeks causing flooding in the neighbouring districts according to FAO-Managed Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM). Farmland, schools, homes and roads have been destroyed, and livelihoods disrupted in some of the worst-hit areas. ACT Somalia Forum members (DKH and NCA) are planning to submit an appeal in response to supporting affected communities. Somalia_ Floods Alert.
Head of Humanitarian Affairs
Global
niall.orourke@actalliance.org
Geneva, Switzerland
Humanitarian Programme Coordinator
ACT Alliance
Caroline.Njogu@actalliance.org
Nairobi, Kenya
Humanitarian Finance & Budget Coordinator
Global
Sokanta.Chanda@actalliance.org
Bangkok, Thailand
Humanitarian Programme & Global MEAL Coordinator
Global
Greece, Europe
Humanitarian Programme Officer
Asia- Pacific
Waqas@actalliance.org
Bangkok, Thailand
RRF Manager
Global
Geneva, Swtizerland
