ACT Alliance demonstrates its value as the leading faith-based alliance in humanitarian response by 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 is certified against the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability and is committed to the Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response.
Emergency Steering Committee successfully established, activated more than 30 times since inception with over US$67 million mobilised since 2022 for ACT’s Humanitarian Appeals.
ACT Emergency Appeal coverage (the total amount of funds generated versus budget) has 02 risen from 28% to 46% from 2018 to 2023.
Systematic approach to appeal management – inception meetings, coordination roundtable
discussions, enhanced monitoring, results frameworks and closing meetings all introduced 03 with a focus on Quality & Accountability.
Extensive consultation with members and forums on locally led response within ACT Alliance 04 has led to a Pledge of Commitments which is being launched at the General Assembly 2024.
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.
During the night of Friday 2 March 2018, Nairobi County and several parts of the country were severely flooded. On this day, flooding caused displacement of households, interrupted transport, swept away bridges and caused the death of 11 people nationwide.
Floods and heavy rain have continued to damage infrastructure, preventing or limiting humanitarian access to many of the affected areas and cutting off people’s access to markets in multiple locations.
According to OCHA Flash update #2 of 3rd May 2018, floods have now displaced at least 244,407 people (45,219 households) people across Kenya, including more than 23,000 displaced over the last week, as several parts of the country continue to receive heavy rainfall. The death toll has risen to 80 people, and 33 have been injured, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) search and rescue team. The highest displaced populations are reported in Tana River, Turkana, Mandera and Kilifi counties. In Nandi county, 243 households were displaced following a mudslide.
Floods have interrupted opening of schools in several counties as some school buildings are submerged or totally cut off.
The dire situation is further compounded for flood affected people with vulnerabilities, more specifically for woman and girls who are at a higher risk of gender-based violence in areas where displaced persons have sought shelter such as school’s compounds and other community centres.
ACT Kenya forum is planning to submit a funding proposal to provide food and non-food items and other essential needs to ensure that flood affected persons’ basic needs are met. National members of ACT Kenya forum have submitted an RRF to provide life saving interventions.
Kenya - Emergency Response to Floods RRF - No. 5
The Gu rains 2018 started in April 2018 with above average rains. First, they started slowly but soon reached precipitation above normal. The soils were dried out and hard and could not absorb the rain water all over Somalia. This caused flash floods all over the country except in North-Eastern Puntland where it did not rain. With the beginning of the Gu-rains and severe flooding at the end of April the priorities changed suddenly when flash floods appeared, and the rivers busted their beds with the consequence that 200,000 persons had to leave their homes in Hiraan. Riverine floods have also been experienced along the Shabelle River in Beletweyn and along the Juba River in Gedo. In Beletweyn alone, flood level reached a 50-years’ record displacing approximately 200,000 persons, including old IDPs now displaced to higher ground. Priority needs are now drinking water, Shelter and NFI, emergency latrines, decontamination of shallow wells, and food. Affected population lack everything, with the most pressing needs being mostly drinking water, shelter and NFI, emergency latrines. After floods retreat shallow wells will need to get decontaminated. ACT Somalia forum members Finn Church Aid, Norwegian Church Aid, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, Diakonia Sweden and Lutheran World Federation are seeking a second revision of SOM 171 appeal to address the flash floods in the riverine areas along the Shabelle River in Beletweyn and along the Juba River in Gedo region. SOMALIA-Drought and Flood Response Appeal SOM171 (2 revision)
Between 11 and 18 April 2018, heavy rains caused devastating destruction in 3 traditional authorities of Kilupula, Mwilang’ombe and Wasambo) in Karonga district. ACT Alliance Malawi Forum through Norwegian Church Aid has provided 18 tents as a contribution to temporary shelter needs. Although the above-mentioned support has been provided, gaps still remain. Results of the Rapid Needs Assessment done by Department of Disaster Management Affairs and ACT Forum Malawi members based in Karonga indicate need to respond in the following sectors:
Ethiopia is currently facing a complex humanitarian crisis as result of an ongoing drought combined with ethno-political conflict along Oromia and Somali borders (two of the largest regional states).
The current drought is an extension of last year’s (2017) drought which severely affected pastoral lowlands of Afar, Somali and Oromia. Over the past four decades, recurrent droughts have been affecting Ethiopia each time with increased intensity and frequency. The climatic phenomena known as El Niño and La Niña have left more than 10 million people in need of emergency assistance over the past two years.
The government of Ethiopia declared a state of emergency on March 2, 2018 for six months.
According to UN OCHA's alert in February 2018, 8 million people need humanitarian assistance requiring around $895 million over the course of 2018. Lives remain at risk due to shortage of food and water and disease outbreaks coupled with malnutrition are prevalent.
ACT Ethiopia forum (AEF) is comprised of eleven organizations out of which two are national organizations serving as the development arm of two of the largest local churches in Ethiopia. AEF has a solid track record on delivering effective humanitarian response for over seven years.
ACT Ethiopia Forum intends to intervene in the areas of Shelter, Health, WASH, Early Recovery, Food Security, Protection and unconditional cash.
ETHIOPIA- Emergency Response to Drought and Conflict Affected Populations - ETH 181 (Concept Note)
In the evening of Monday the 18 December 2017, the district of Kanungu, Kisoro and Bundibugyo in Western Uganda, experienced a heightened influx of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) fleeing violence in North Kivu and Ituri regions. That week was characterized by two major developments: the unexpected surge of arrivals to Kyangwalli Settlement through the Lake Albert route and the arrival of Congolese refugees to Kyaka II settlement. More than 40,000 Congolese new arrivals have been received in Uganda since 1st December 2017.
Rwamwanja settlement which used to receive Congolese refugees entering through South-West Uganda has since reached full capacity, prompting the government to reactivate reception of new arrivals in Kyaka II and Kyangwali settlements. The settlements face numerous challenges including shelter, poor access roads, lack of infrastructure and inadequate access to clean and safe water. There are resentments within and among refugees arising from challenges posed by the situation as well as existing grievances from country of origin. In addition, LWF has recorded 102 GBV cases who have so far been supported with psychosocial support.
Two ACT Uganda members involved in this appeal are Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) both having extensive experience in their fields to respond.
Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has been operational in Uganda since 1981 providing humanitarian support to South Sudan and Congolese refugees. Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC), as a local national organization established in 1963 has a vast experience of community peace building and conflict transformation among refugees and host communities.
The overall objective is to ensure new arrivals have access to protection, shelter, WASH and are able to live in a peaceful environment. The Appeal targets 30,000 refugees both old and new caseloads in Kyangwali Settlement, Hoima district.
UGANDA-Emergency Response to DRC Refugees UGA 181 (Concept Note)
The current crisis in Iraq began in June 2014, when militants of the Islamic State Iraq and Syria (ISIS) seized control of over one third of Iraq’s territory within a few weeks. Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), the Kurdish Peshmerga and various armed groups engaged in the fight against ISIS, and finally recaptured Ramadi in February 2016, Hit in April 2016, Fallujah in June 2016, Mosul in July 2017, Tal Afar in August 2017 and Hawija in October 2017. The Government of Iraq announced the defeat of ISIS and regained full territorial control on 9 December 2017.
With the major military operations coming to end, many people are now able to return to their homes, and previously experienced large-scale displacements are likely to be over by 2018. However, smaller scale movements are still expected resulting from the tension between the government of Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government, triggered by the referendum on Kurdish independence on 25 September 2017.
Appeals_Iraq_Support to Internal Displaced Persons - IRQ181
IRQ181-Consolidated-Budget_approved
In the evening of Sunday 12 November 2017, the Governorate of Halabja region, North-East of Iraq experienced an earthquake in the magnitude of approximately 7.2-7.5, according to European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The epicentre of this earthquake was located 32kms from the city of Halabja. According to the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS), approximately 1,840,000 people were living within 100km of the epicentre of this earthquake in both Iraq and Iran. Local experts and seismologists in the area see potential occurrence of such shocks in the future as the area has entered into a new level of intensity, and therefore it is likely that future earthquakes will be of a same or higher magnitude.
Since November 2017, there have been nine reported fatalities and over 550 people injured in Iraq as a result of the earthquake, according to the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). The Darbandikhan areas has been most severely impacted, with most earthquake related injuries reported in Darbandikhan, Halabja, and Garmyan districts. Many houses in the areas of Darbandikhan, Maidan, Qurato and Bamo have been damaged and/or destroyed. According to the KRG, damage to the infrastructure was most severe in Darbandikhan, where landslides blocked the Darbandikhan tunnel. The water and electricity network of Darbandikhan was damaged and required significant repair. The water treatment plant in Halabja was partially damaged and produced clean water at only 50% capacity.
According to the KRG, the situation is stabilised. NGOs in the area are coordinating with each other. However, an ACT Alliance response is needed as this will help the affected people to stay and re-build their The ACT Alliance intervention came at a point in time when the affected population were still willing to stay in the area and rebuild their livelihoods with some humanitarian support.
Appeals_Iraq_Earthquake IRQ171
Madagascar has been successively hit by cyclones since January 2018. Three cyclones have consecutively struck the island; touching the coast, bringing heavy rains which have caused severe and heavy flooding. On the morning of Friday 16 March 2018, the region of Analanjirofo, was affected by tropical cyclone ELIAKIM, which came with a maximum wind speed of 100 kph alternated by gusts of 130 kph. According to the National Office of Disaster Risk Management (NODRM), ELIAKIM caused 21 deaths, displaced 15 000 and affected 38 000 people. This occurred while local communities were still recovering from AVA, the first tropical cyclone, followed by a second storm DUMAZILE. In the North-Eastern and Eastern part of Madagascar, towns have flooded, buildings have collapsed, crops have been destroyed, roads damaged and communications knocked down by storm ELIAKIM. Currently, in Analanjirofo Region, there are 12 647 affected persons, with 8 353 displaced in the District of Maroantsetra, Fenerive-Est and Soanierana Ivongo. According to needs assessments done (information co-related with secondary data), humanitarian gaps are in the sectors of Food, Non Food Items, Shelter, WASH (kits) and protection/psychosocial support. School children are also affected as their school materials and food ratios were damaged. ACT Forum Madagascar is planning to respond, through ACT Madagascar National members Sampan'Asa momba ny Fampandrosoana FJKM (SAF/FJKM) who will support emergency response in Maroantsetra district, targeting 2 400 HH and SMT/FLM who will intervene in Fenerive-Est and Soanierana Ivongo districts, targeting 2 000 vulnerable families. Proposed sectors of response by ACT Madagascar members include WASH, Protection/Psycho social support and Food Security.
DRC, a vast country in Central Africa attracts less attention from donors probably due to its protracted nature; but continues to be in a humanitarian crisis. In October 2017, in line with UN Policies, DRC Level 3 emergency was declared as a consequence of the complexity of a conflict crisis. The appeal emergency covers the provinces of Kasai, Tanganyika and South Kivu.
The Kasai Provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo are currently experiencing violent ethnic/tribal conflicts. These conflicts have been fueled by the violent death of Kamuina Nsap the local tribal chief. The death of chief Kamuina Nsap and subsequent calls among his followers to avenge his death has caused unrest among the population.
An unprecedented massive population displacement has been reported within and outside 5 provinces of Great Kasai which encompass Kasai namely, Kasai central, Kasai Oriental, Sankuru and Lomami to date.
Last year (June 2017), it was reported that 1.4 million people were forced to flee from their homes, escaping violence. Already more than 33,132 people have been reported to have crossed the border to Angola and neighbouring countries. There is also significant internal displacement by affected communities.
The DRC forum has launched a call for action (Full appeal) in response to the Kasai crisis due to the many emerging challenges in this crisis in DRC contextual scope even after DRC ACT alliance forum released the concept note.
DRC ACT alliance members namely Christian Aid (CA), Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) and Bureau Oecumenique d'Appui au Development (BOAD) are preparing a response in the sectors of NFI/Shelter, Nutrition, Psychosocial support, WASH and Food security amounting to $ 2,868,034 for a period of 18 months starting April 2018.
DRC-Emergency Response to Kasai Conflict - COD 181
Early this year, Zambia experienced continuous heavy rains which resulted in floods, causing significant damages and losses.
On Wednesday, 21st February 2018 districts of Petauke and Chama were reported to be flooded. These floods washed away a bridge connecting Lundazi and Chama districts causing heavy traffic delay and the floods also caused destruction of houses, leading to the displacement of community members.
There are presently 2,140 Households affected in Petaule and Chama districts with 377 community members evacuated and over 198 children requiring psychosocial support.
At least 500 affected households require Treated Mosquito Nets and lighting; blankets and clothing. According to reports from Zambia Disaster Management Mitigation Unit (DMMU), the government of the Republic of Zambia has provided tents, treated mosquito nets and clothing to 1,601 affected Households to affect families in only Chama.
Affected households are either staying at a community School or Church.
ACT Zambia Forum shall respond to floods in Chama and Petauke by re-constructing a school building and supporting 2,140 HH with food rations and emergency non - food items.
The ACT Zambia forum national member working on this response in Chama and Petauke is United Church of Zambia (UCZ).The response will continue for three months since floods shall continue to affect communities in Chama district(which is located in a valley).
ZAMBIA-Emergency Response to Storm and Flood affected populations in Zambia RRF 02
Malawi is experiencing the most severe prolonged dry spells and army worm infestation, which are threatening the agricultural production of 3.8 million people. With little or no rain in parts of the country and fall army worms still destroying crop fields, the outlook is alarming which will result in hunger for over 3.8 million people till the next planting season. Even before the prolonged dry spells, Malawi Government had declared a national disaster in December 2017 because of fall army worms. The President of Malawi has declared this situation a national disaster, as a result the dry spell and the fall army worm infestation attack in December 2017. As a result, there is imminent food shortage in 20 out of 28 districts of Malawi. The following are the sectors that will be addressed by the Malawi ACT Forum
In the evening of Wednesday the 24 January 2018, refugees fleeing fighting in South Kivu started streaming in Makamba and Rumonge Provinces aboard boats. Since August 2017, the security and humanitarian situation have significantly deteriorated in South Kivu, more specifically on the axis Sebele ‐Kikonde‐Kazimia, the southern coast of Kazimia (Yungu, Talama) and the coastal communities of Ubwari in the Fizi area. On-going clashes between the army FARDC (Democratic Republic of Congo Armed Forces) and the Mai Yakutumba rebel armed group—claiming to be from the National People's Coalition for the Sovereignty of Congo (CNSPC)—are behind this deterioration of the situation since January 2018. Thousands of children, women and men have abandoned their homes, in the midst of intensified military operations against Mai-Mai armed groups in South Kivu province. Almost 7,000 people have crossed to neighbouring Burundi and an additional 1,200 to Tanzania. It is believed that many more are displaced inside South Kivu in difficult conditions without shelter or food.
Those refugees seeking to reach Burundi are mainly doing so by crossing Lake Tanganyika on small fishing boats. As of 28 January 2018, according to authorities in Burundi, 8,152 persons have crossed Lake Tanganyika and settled into Burundian provinces of Rumonge and Makamba (this includes 6,934 Congolese and 1,218 returning Burundians). On 29 January 2018, 823 additional persons arrived in Burundi. It is therefore estimated that a total of 9,078 people crossed to Burundi so far.
ACT Burundi Forum is planning to implement a project to provide life-saving assistance to Congolese refugees and host communities in Burundi. The project will reach a total of 6,578 households (3256 male-headed households and 3322 female-headed households). In total, about 32,890 individuals will be reached with food, cash and WASH interventions.
BURUNDI_Emergency Response to DRC Refugees - BDI 181 (Concept Note).
On 23 October 2017, the Permanent Contingency Commission (COPECO) declared a green alert in five of the country’s departments: Cortés, Yoro, Atlántida, Islas de La Bahía and Colón; the alert was declared in response to the arrival of the first cold front of the season, which brought heavy rains and prompted COPECO to raise the alert level for the departments of Islas de la Bahía, Cortés, Atlántida and Colón at 5:00 pm on 24 October. That same day, the government declared a state of emergency due to the presence of the weather system in the departments of Cortés, Atlántida, Yoro, Colón, Islas de la Bahía and Gracias a Dios. The weather system brought heavy rainfall, which caused rivers and gorges to flood. As of 29 October 2017, a red alert was in effect for the departments Gracias a Dios, Yoro, Islas de la Bahía, Cortés, Atlántida and Colón, while a yellow alert was in place for departments Olancho, Santa Bárbara and Francisco Morazán and a green alert for the departments of Copán, Comayagua, La Paz, Valle, Choluteca, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Intibucá and El Paraíso. According to official data provided by COPECO, the flooding has had the following impact on Honduras: • 10,564 affected households • 50,770 affected persons • 4876 evacuated households (24,691 persons) • 25 persons rescued • 1799 households in temporary shelters (9351 persons) • 5012 damaged houses • 13 totally destroyed houses. Additionally, Tropical Depression Selma formed in the Pacific at the same time as a tropical disturbance in the Atlantic according to COPECO’s National Centre of Atmospheric, Oceanographic and Seismic Studies, producing moderate to strong rains, especially in the country’s south central and western parts. Given the level of damages, the ACT Forum from Honduras through its local member CASM (Mennonite Commission for Social Action) is planning on submitting a funding proposal to provide Food aid to affected households in the Department of Cortes, Honduras. Alerts_Honduras_Floods
On the morning of Friday the 3 November 2017, the state of Chennai, Tamil Nadu in India, was severely affected by a low pressure area that had formed over Sri Lanka and South West Bay of Bengal bringing heavy and incessant rain falls to Chennai and Tamil Nadu. This has exacerbated the flooding caused by rains since Thursday. Fishermen venturing into the sea have been warned and advised not to go into the sea for fishing. North east monsoon is strengthening and officials have predicted more rain and thunder showers to continue for next three days in most places over the northern coast, Southern Tamil Nadu including Chennai city. The southern district of coastal Tamil Nadu have recorded heavier showers in last 24 hours. According to local authorities five people are recorded to have died due to heavy rain related incidents. Two eight year old girls were electrocuted while playing outside their home in Kodungaiur as the electricity lines fell into the water. The floods have put the district in a state of crisis. The flood affected persons find themselves in a desperate situation, with many unmet vital humanitarian needs such as access to: food, safe shelter and non food items. The rains and the flooding has meant that people have lost their livelihoods and dependent on external support. There is need for sufficient food, safe shelter and basic non-food items. The dire situation is further compounded for the flood affected people with vulnerabilities especially for those people discriminated because of caste. The government has initiated 115 relief distribution centers which is not enough to reach to all the slums areas in Chennai city and remote villages. There is a pressing necessity to provide immediate assistance. Alerts_11_2017_India_Chennai
Tropical storm “Nate” formed on Thursday the 5th of October in the Caribbean off the coast of Nicaragua. The storm caused heavy rains and landslides throughout several countries in Central America. As of October 6th, the number of casualties rose to 28 and with 14 people reportedly missing. National Civil Protection systems were triggered and are responding with local coordination mechanisms. Tropical storm Nate will continue its trajectory towards the north-eastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula on the evening of October 6th as it makes its way to the US Gulf Coast, where it is projected to make landfall as a hurricane. According to data provided by the National Civil Protection Systems, the damage reported is as follow:
In Costa Rica, landslides caused significant damage to roads and villages, cutting off some areas. A highway that connects the south of the country was washed away in Casa Mata. At least 5,000 residents fled to emergency shelters there, according to The Associated Press. The Costa Rican government declared a state of emergency, and President Luis Guillermo Solís appealed to the international community for support.
Given the level of damages so far, the Costa Rica Forum through its local member ILCO (Lutheran Church in Costa Rica) is planning on submitting a funding proposal to provide Food aid, non-Food Items, WASH, Psychosocial Support. The Nicaragua Forum is assessing the situation in order to decide if they are going to respond.
Alerts_Central_America_Tropical_Storm_NateIn the evening of Friday the 22 September 2017, the district of Karangasem where Mt. Agung in Bali Island situated, was declared on its highest alert (red alert), followed by the instruction to exclusion zone of 9 to 12 kilometres from the summit. National and provincial authorities reported the significant increase of volcanic activity and by 23 September 2017 the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) deployed initial team to assess and set up the command post. ACT Alliance members (ICCO, LWR and YEU) work in areas affected by the volcanic eruption, and is assessing the impact of the disaster to better understand the needs and vulnerabilities, ACT Alliance is now monitoring the situation and emergency teams are ready/preparing to respond according to the results of a contextual analysis and rapid needs assessment. Alerts Indonesia Volcanic Eruption
In Liberia, since the beginning of this year, there have been constant storms and floods resulting in damage and losses around the country. On Tuesday, August 31, it was reported on the National Radio Station, ELBC Super Morning Show that a heavy storm had occurred in Bong County (Central Liberia) which caused the destruction of houses thereby leading to the displacement of hundreds of local community dwellers. There are presently 5,244 people who are affected and 118 structures destroyed in Suakoko Town. Many of them are without shelters, according to reports received from the National Disaster Committee based Gbarnga, Bong County. Other impacts of the storm and floods include the destruction of schools buildings, offices, sign boards, etc. The rainy season is at its peak in Liberia, more flooding and storms are expected. Alerts_Liberia_Floods and Storms
On the morning of Friday the 25 August 2017, the state of Rakhine in Myanmar, conflict broke out disproportionately affecting the minority Rohingya community as a result of operations of the Myanmar military and other non state actors in response to attacks on three border posts on the border of Myanmar and Bangladesh allegedly by a group of Islamic militants leading to the death of nine policemen. The extent and degree of implications and sufferings of people fleeing the ongoing violence still remains uncertain. Though incidents of violence against the Rohingya community are being constantly reported by the media and other sources, the Myanmar government officially have denied such events. To date, estimations based on consolidated field reports of the agencies working in Cox’s Bazar are that 370,000 people are estimated to have crossed the border into Bangladesh seeking refuge from the violence of Myanmar military and local Rakhine communities. Alerts_Bangladesh_Rohingya Refugee Crisis
During the night of Friday, 25 August 2017, the state of Rakhine in Myanmar, was attacked by armed groups. The Arakhine Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) claimed responsibility for the attacks in three northern townships of Rakhine. The Government has officially declared ARSA a terrorist organization which gives the state authorities wide powers of arrest and detention of those suspected of belonging to ARSA. Military operations ensued immediately and have continue to-date in townships of Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung which have been declared Military Operations areas. The UN and INGOs and the diplomatic missions have all made statements condemning the violent attacks and expressing sympathy for all those affected by the violence. According to the latest displacement figures, 300,000 conflict affected people have fled to Bangladesh. ACT Alliance has been working in Rakhine since LWF started humanitarian work in 2012. Christian Aid is also working in the Rakhine state through local organizations. Both are now planning to help people affected by the conflict. The ACT Myanmar forum has identified a gap in humanitarian aid and has resolved that if funded, it will have the capacity to properly bridge the identified gap. Alerts_09_2017_Rakhine Conflict Myanmar
As of 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma, a category 5 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 295 km/hour, it has significantly strengthened to become one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic. To date, it has passed over Barbuda, Saint Barthelemy, Anguilla, Saint Marten, British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Turks and Caicos, Cuba, the Bahamas and passing through Florida. Irma caused extensive damage in Barbuda and Anguilla where 70-90% of the buildings were destroyed. 27 people reported dead across affected territories, 34,000 people displaced in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Over 1 million people were evacuated, especially from the municipalities in the northern coastline in central and eastern Cuba. 17,000 people in need of immediate shelter across the affected eastern Caribbean islands. Initial reports highlight that in Haiti there are significant damages to agricultural fields, livestock and banana plantations. Assessments will take place over the coming days to determine the number of people in need of food assistance. More than 10,000 people are in temporary shelters in the North.
Given the level of damages so far, the Haiti and Dominican Republic forums respectively decided to submit a RRF, and an appeal is going to be submitted to respond in Cuba, the most affected among the three islands.
Since Monday ,14 August 2017, 14 districts of Bihar state in India, were experiencing heavy rainfall. The unprecedented rainfall and consequent floods in Nepal and Himalayan catchment areas during the last three days exacerbated a bad situation and resulted in severe flooding in the 14 districts of Bihar. Rivers such as the Mahananda, Gandak and Kankai are in spate. 98 people have lost their lives so far because of the floods and an estimated 6.5 million people are affected in the Bihar. The floods have severely hampered communication. More than 248,000 people have been evacuated to safer places by the rescue teams. The state government has set up 343 relief camps in which 93,149 people are living. An additional 10 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) battalions each comprising 40-45 personnel have been deployed in flood-hit districts of Kishanganj, Purnia and Araria to strengthen the existing 9 NDRF battalions. A team each of the NDRF has already been deployed in East and West Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Supaul and Purnia districts, while two teams have been positioned at Kishanganj. Alerts_24_ 2017_Flooding_in_Bihar, India
The first half of 2017 has marked an important period in the Iraq crisis that has been ongoing since 2014. On 17 October 2016, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) engaged in operations to recapture the city of Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). East Mosul has been under ISF control since January 2017, and as of July 2017 the removal of ISIL has been substantially completed. Since the beginning of the operations, the cumulative number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Mosul is close to 850 000. Due to an improved sense of security among affected populations, the number of returnees has grown to over 220 000 individuals by July 2017. Many of them have their houses damaged, limited access to water, food and health assistance, as well as no income opportunities. ACT members are committed to provide assistance to vulnerable communities in many locations of Iraq and the Kurdistan region as part of their individual responses. The complex nature of Mosul’s problems requires a well-coordinated, multi-sector response, and ACT members are dedicated to combine their capacities for a more effective response. alerts_08_2017_returnees-and-residents-of-mosul_irq161_rev-1
In the afternoon of Tuesday the 15th August 2017 severe floods were caused due to incessant rains in 20 districts in the northern part of Bangladesh. According to National Health Crises Management Centre (NHCMC) of Director General of Health Service (DGHS) control room on 14th August 2017, the death toll has risen to 89[1] and approximately 1.7 million people[2] have been affected by the floods. At least 110,400 hectors of cultivated land have been affected. An estimated 1,031 primary schools had to be closed. Even though the flood-affected families have taken shelter in higher ground but some are marooned in rising flood waters. Roads and railway communication between northern districts and the capital remain disconnected. Flood waters are flowing downstream and new areas in central part of the country are being affected. The Brahmaputra, Jamuna, Ganges and Padma rivers along with other major river systems in the country are expected to continue to rise during next couple of days, flooding more down stream areas. Affected people have taken shelters along the highways, road sides, embankments, and schools. [1] Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) [2] National Health Crises Management Centre (NHCMC) of Director General of Health Service (DGHS) control room Alerts_23_2017_Flooding_in_northern_Bangladesh
Head of Humanitarian Affairs
Global
niall.orourke@actalliance.org
Geneva, Switzerland
Regional Humanitarian Officer
Africa
Caroline.Njogu@actalliance.org
Nairobi, Kenya
Humanitarian Operations Manager
Global
Cyra.Bullecer@actalliance.org
Bangkok, Thailand
Humanitarian Programme Advisor
MENA
Amman, Jordan
Humanitarian Programme Officer
Latin America and the Caribbean
Bogota, Colombia
Finance Coordinator
Global
marjorie.schmidt@actalliance.org
Geneva, Switzerland
