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.
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.
On October 7, 2023, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck 40km west of Herat province, Afghanistan at a depth of 9 km. Aftershocks continued including 5.1 magnitude earthquake on October 10th and another 6.3 magnitude earthquake on October 11th in Zindajan district in Herat province. Among the different affected districts, Zindajan district was hit the hardest, with 100 percent of homes estimated to have been completely destroyed, 1,663 injured and several hundred are missing across the district’s 11 villages. Around 80% of the affected families totaling 1,395 out of 1,655 are situated in Zindajan district, where 1,353 homes are reported to have been destroyed or severely damaged. According to OCHA, to date, 1,384 people (759 females and 625 males) are reported to have died and 1,853 people were injured (1,137 females and 716 males) by the earthquakes. Assessments completed to date indicate that 3,067 homes have been affected. The destruction of homes and shelters caused by the earthquake compounds the already harsh living conditions faced by residents of Herat province, due to the political and economic crisis brought on by the complete withdrawal of NATO troops in August 2021. The destabilization resulting from the withdrawal led to mass conflict-induced displacement and put additional burden on the meagre existing infrastructure, markets and other facilities. ACT Alliance members community World Services Asia (CWSA) and Christian Aid (CA) developed this appeal for a period of 12 months to address the urgent needs of around 58000 affected people by providing shelters assistance, Multi-purpose cash assistance, Food & NFIs distribution, WASH services, Psycho-social support to the traumatized people. An appeal budget of 3 million USD has been developed to address the short and medium term needs of the people. ACT Appeal - AFG231 Afghanistan Earthquake Results Framework AFG 231 Appeal
Due to rising water levels upstream primarily driven by heavy rainfall, the Akosombo dam experienced a major outflow causing massive flooding in the Eastern and Volta regions of Ghana. This action was prompted by the escalating water levels upstream of the Akosombo Dam, primarily due to heavy rainfall in the area. Based on the humanitarian gaps identified during the needs assessment, community consultation, and the presence of a functional market, the Presbyterian Relief Services and Development will provide multipurpose cash valued approximately at USD 90.75 (GhS1,035) for 1,000 households (6,000 beneficiaries) through mobile cash transfer and support the livelihoods of 200 households. ACT Alliance National member in Ghana, Presbyterian Relief Services Development will implement this project through local churches based in the affected areas while coordinating well with the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO). RRF 12 2023 Ghana Floods
On October 7, the Government of Israel declared war and initiated a series of airstrikes on the densely populated Gaza Strip, after Palestinian armed groups breached the security barrier at several points resulting in significant loss of life while simultaneously launching barrage of rockets into Israel. The attacks from both parties, led to the loss of thousands of Palestinian and Israeli lives, with tens of thousands of individuals sustaining injuries. In Palestine, the ongoing hostilities have created a humanitarian crisis, with homes, schools, medical facilities, and critical infrastructures being extensively damaged or destroyed. In the Gaza Strip, the conflict has led to significant and alarming mass displacement of people. Approximately 1.4 million out of Gaza's 2.2 million residents are currently displaced. Gaza Ministry of Public Works and Housing reported 15,749 housing units destroyed, 10,935 uninhabitable and 142,500 housing units sustained minor to moderate damage. The total number of housing units reported as destroyed or damaged accounts for at least 43% of all housing units in the Gaza Strip. The attacks have affected 34 healthcare facilities and 24 ambulances. Twelve hospitals and 46 primary care clinics are no longer functioning. All five wastewater treatment plants in Gaza have been forced to shut down due to lack of power, which previously provided water and sanitation services to over 1.1M people. 2 out of the 3 main lines mobile and internet communications were destroyed, hindering the communication channels. As a result of the war in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem are witnessing an escalation of violence, including casualties, settler violence, and attacks on healthcare facilities and staff. Due to the security situation, Israeli has put many restrictions on movement and access throughout the West Bank, putting more strains on people’s livelihoods and are severely impacting access to essential services. ACT Palestine Forum members DSPR, LWF, HEKS-EPER and ELCJHL are responding to this conflict with an appeal to raise USD 5,237,649 over two years for responding to the urgent needs with special focus on people who have been directly affected by the current conflict in Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank. PSE231 Appeal- Gaza Conflict PSE231_Results framework Final
As of July, UNCHR reports the total number of Ukrainian refugees globally is 6.3 million of which 5.96 million are in Europe. According to IOM a further 5 million people have been displaced internally within Ukraine. In June, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) had recorded 24,862 civilian casualties to date in Ukraine with 9,083 people killed and 15,779 injured. This fourth revision is based upon the updated needs assessments of ACT members in the appeal (AIDRom, Church World Service, HEKS/EPER, Hungarian Interchurch Aid and the Lutheran World Federation). Christian Aid joins the appeal as a requesting member in this revision working with local organisations in Ukraine with a Survivor & Community Led Response (SCLR) approach. ACT members are responding in Ukraine, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Poland, and Slovakia with the revised appeal budget of USD46,747,481 (Total income as of 8 August 2023: 25,381,252 USD and the Balance requested: 21,366,229 USD). UKR221 Appeal Rev4 UKR221 Results Framework Rev4
Last year in September 2022 heavy monsoon caused widespread flooding and landslides with severe ramifications for human lives, property, and infrastructure. 81 districts (Baluchistan 32, Sindh 23, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 17, Gilgit Baltistan 6, and Punjab 3) were declared ‘calamity hit’ by the Government— a one-third area (70% districts) across Pakistan was affected. ACT Alliance members Community World Service Asia and Norwegian Church Aid launched an appeal to respond to the urgent needs of the affected population through provision of essential needs, ash assistance, shelter kits, mobile clinics for primary health care services in remote areas, and WASH interventions. With the support from Funding Members, more than 50,000 affected people have been reached. Targeted people are provided with safe drinking water by rehabilitation of existing and installation of new water facilities, Provision of water storage containers. Moreover, sanitation facilities are provided in the targeted area, Multipurpose cash assistance were provided to around 800 families which helped them in rehabilitation of their shelters. The main purpose of the appeal revision is that the Pakistan Meteorological Department predicted heavy Monsoon rains in the country which already have started impacting the northern parts of the country. These rains will aggravate the situation of people who are already affected by floods in 2022. On these grounds NCA has decided to revise the current ACT Appeal (PAK221) so that we are able to adequately scale up and address the impact of 2023 Monsoon rains with a concentration in Sindh province. Much of the infrastructure destroyed by the floods remains to be rebuilt. More than 10 million people in flood-affected areas still lack access to safe drinking water, according to UNICEF. Due to insufficient support and livelihood about 1.1 million people are at risk of sliding of becoming food insecure. The continued inflation that is being experienced by Pakistan in the last year has resulted in food inflation. Food inflation in May 2023 surged to 48.7 percent. This situation has resulted in a significant increase in the challenges for flood-affected communities to access adequate shelter, water, sanitation, re-construction of houses and agricultural livelihoods. In Sindh province, people are still displaced with some areas having land still waterlogged. According to Pakistan Contingency Plan for 2023, it is estimated that around 10 million people will be affected from Monsoon rains this year 2023 in Pakistan. The majority of affected people will be in Sindh province. Moreover, assessments in June 2023, by the Sindh Govt indicate that a total of 2.1 million houses still require reconstruction or repairs however, Govt. resources will only cover 350,000 households. Due to insufficient support and reduced livelihood opportunities about 1.1 million people are at risk of becoming food insecure. The continued inflation that is being experienced by Pakistan in the last year has exasperated food inflation. ACT Alliance members Community World Service Asia and Norwegian Church Aid is raising an appeal for USD 4,272,493. Since the appeal raised in October 2022 around USD 1.2 million has been mobilized. PAK221 - Pakistan Flood Response - Revised Appeal PAK221 - Pakistan Flood Response - Revised Results Framework
After nearly 12 years of conflict, and an earthquake of 7.8 magnitude that hit its foundation, Syria remains a complex humanitarian and protection emergency characterized by ongoing hostilities and their long-term consequences, including widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, economic collapse, explosive ordnance contamination, Covid 19, and one of the largest number of internally displaced people in the world. An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8, with at least 1,200 aftershocks have been reported, followed by a second earthquake of 7.5 magnitude, at a depth of 17.925 km (11.14 miles) has occurred at Central Turkey near the city of Gaziantep, as reported by the National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) of the USGS on February 06, 2023, 01:41:15 UTC. Analysis indicates that this is a very strong earthquake. Widespread building collapse has been reported in southeast Turkey and northern Syria. The earthquake was also felt across Lebanon, Cyprus and the region while it is expected that aftershocks which may be at the same intensity as the initial earthquake will be felt for weeks. There have been more than 23,000 deaths reported as at the 11th of February between Turkey and Syria, with 14,014 in Turkey and 4,377 in Syria, and almost 7,700 people injured in Syria. With thousands of collapsed buildings, (around 1,765 totally destroyed and 5,571 partially destroyed , in addition to 115 schools were destroyed in Aleppo, Hama, and Lattakia cities ). Many people remain trapped under the debris of collapsed buildings, rescue and search are fearing its too late finding anyone alive under the rubble. Flooding has been reported in displacement camps due to inclement winter weather. The Syrian population was already deeply affected by the ongoing war and the economic collapse of the country and now, many people must deal with being displaced, losing their livelihood, and fighting the harsh winter conditions. ACT Syria Forum members CA, GOPA-DERD, HEKS/EPER, LWF, MECC And HIA in Türkiye are responding to the protracted crisis and the earthquake with an appeal to raise USD 16,243,918 over two years, As of this publication, the appeal has raised USD 10,675,211. This appeal revision is primarily an update of the results framework, as a result of the coordination efforts and assessments of different programmatic and geographic areas that ACT Requesting Members have undertaken to refine activities and address changing needs. SYR231 - Syria Turkey Response Revision 3 SYR231 Results-Framework- Revision 3 Final Links to the previous versions: Syria and Türkiye: Syria Protracted Crisis – Developing the Resilience of Affected People and Emergency Response for Affected Communities – SYR231- Revision 2 | ACT Alliance Syria: Syria Protracted Crisis – Developing the Resilience of Affected People and Emergency Response for Affected Communities of Syria-Türkiye Earthquake- SYR231- Revision 1 | ACT Alliance SYRIA: Syria Protracted Crisis – Developing the Resilience of Affected People – SYR231 | ACT Alliance
Over the past three and a half months there has been a sudden surge in Tanzania of asylum seekers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from Masisi and Rutshuru territories in North Kivu. These locations are currently occupied by Congolese Revolution Army (M23), Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), as well as Mai Mai and other non-state armed groups who control towns in the same area. Civilians are now caught between groups of combatants. According to some recent peace agreements, it is expected that M23 have agreed to move away from these areas, but this is not the first time M23 promise to relocate but do not. Currently these agreements are yet to materialize. In November / December 2022, asylum seekers arrived into Tanzania at the average rate of 150 person per day. This year (March 2023) saw the highest number of asylum seekers from the DRC entering Tanzania in groups of 300–600 (highest peak recorded). This number then reduced to 20-30 asylum seekers arriving in Tanzania in May and June 2023. Majority of the asylum seekers are women, children and the elderly. The asylum seekers enter Tanzania through Lake Tanganyika using boat canoes from DRC. More asylum seekers are projected to cross from the DRC to Tanzania because of the expected continuation of clashes in eastern DRC (UNHCR 29/06/2023; Daily News 19/03/2023). The number of refugees registered by UNHCR are 11,964 as of 14th July 2023 and they are now settled at Nyarugusu refugee camp. RRF 11 2023 Tanzania DRC Refugees
Angola has been going through a prolonged drought, considered to be the worst in 40 years, due to three consecutive failed rainy seasons. The drought has affected food security in Cunene, Huíla and Namibe provinces. There have been a recorded 40% crop losses greatly impacting negatively household food availability, incomes and livelihoods (https://www.unicef.org/appeals/angola). The drought in Angola falls under one of the most under-reported or forgotten humanitarian crisis (CARE– breaking the silence, 2023). An estimated 3.8 million people where 114,000 children under the age of five are acutely malnourished (UNICEF: HAC 2023 report). The prolonged drought has been caused by irregular and in some cases lack of rains and as a result, farming communities have no harvest as expected. In addition, many have lost their seed stock. Livestock (oxen) that were used for ploughing their field have also died. According to the Global Network Against Food Crisis (GNAFC) report, Angola is among the countries where the food security situation is forecasted to remain critical due to below average rainfall and poor humanitarian assistance. The situation is predicted to be critical from August to Oct/Nov 2023. During this period, all food reserves will be depleted, the man-made dams (Chimpakas) will be dry and basic food prices will be at their peak. RRF 10 2023 Angola Drought
Typhoon Doksuri (Egay) is the fifth tropical cyclone to hit the country this year. It started as a low-pressure area and later on became a tropical depression in Southeastern Luzon last July 21, 2023. As it traversed westward over the Philippine Sea, it turned into a typhoon on July 22 and became a Super Typhoon when it approached Northern Luzon on July 25. The super typhoon’s strong winds and torrential rains battered the country on July 26 as it made two landfalls in the vicinity of Fuga Island in Aparri and Dalupiri Island in Calayan, both in Cagayan province. The super typhoon forced thousands of families to evacuate to safer areas, and destroyed roads, bridges, and houses. Based on the reports of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, as of August 1, 2023, a total of 759,434 families or 2,790,213 persons were affected by the super typhoon. There were also 26 dead, 52 injured, and 13 missing persons reported. The NDRRMC recorded almost 3,600 damaged houses that forced people to evacuate. In addition, the total damage to livelihood specifically in agriculture cost PHP 1,965,320,443.00 (US$ 35.8 million) and a total of 487 damaged infrastructures amounting to PHP 3.5 billion (US$63.8 million). Many people are impacted, and they are now struggling to find places to live and ways to earn. The approved project will be addressing the urgent needs of around 17000 people in the sectors of Cash Transfers, Food/nutrition, Protection and WASH sectors. A total of USD 150,000 has been approved for a period of 6 months. detailed proposal attached. RRF 09 2023 Philippines Typhoon Doksuri
On 9 May, Israeli forces launched a military operation in the Gaza Strip. Israeli airstrikes struck residential buildings and houses where three members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad were staying, killing them along with ten family members In the Gaza Strip, the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has verified 33 Palestinian fatalities from 9 to 14 May. Out of the verified fatalities, at least 12 were civilians. Among the 12 civilians were four girls, 2 boys, 4 women and 2 men. According to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Gaza, 190 Palestinians were injured, including 64 children and 38 women. During the escalation, there was damage to housing units, schools, health facilities, and infrastructure. A total of 2,943 housing units were damaged, with 103 destroyed, 140 severely damaged, and 2,700 otherwise damaged. It is estimated that 1,244 Palestinians were internally displaced as a result. The escalation came to worsen the already fragile systems in the Gaza strip, along with the siege, blockade, high unemployment, economic collapse, extreme psychosocial distress and all of hostilities resulted in a direct humanitarian impact on education, livelihoods, access to basic services, shelter, health, water and sanitation. ACT Palestine forum member DSPR- NECC are planning to support around 7,130 most vulnerable people in the affected area of Gaza Strip with food/ nutrition, health, and protection/ psychosocial support. RRF06-2023 Gaza Escalation Response
The Kakhovka dam that sits on the Dnieper River, upstream of Kherson City in Khersonska Oblast. It's reservoir held 18 cubic kilometers of water used for cooling the 5.7 GW Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and to irrigate areas of southern Ukraine and northern Crimea via the North Crimean Canal and Dnieper–Kryvyi Rih Canal. In the morning of the 6th June, the Kakhovka Dam was destroyed, causing extensive flooding. Water levels in the reservoir had been at a 30 year high. Thousands of residents downstream were evacuated, and floods submerged several villages in Ukrainian- and Russian-controlled areas. Ukraine's prosecutor general estimated that about 40,000 people located in Ukrainian- and Russian-controlled land were likely to be impacted by flooding. Three weeks after the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, the massive flooding caused by the disaster has significantly receded, leaving behind devastation, an unconfirmed number of civilians killed and injured and a worsened humanitarian situation in areas already facing the dire consequences of the war. The disaster and the consequent depletion of the Kakhovka Reservoir have created enormous challenges for civilians to access drinking water and agricultural activities in southern Ukraine. Important concerns have been raised about the possibility of disease outbreaks caused by stagnant and contaminated water in areas where health services are extremely limited due to the widespread destruction caused by the war. ACT Ukraine forum member HEKS/EPER proposes to support 2,000 most vulnerable people in the affected area. RRF 07 2023 Ukraine Dam damage
On June 15, 2023, heavy rains hit the territory of the Republic of Serbia, causing floods throughout the country. 56 cities and municipalities affected by flash floods declared a state of emergency. Houses are flooded, huge material damage was done to crops, and infrastructure is damaged. More than 300 people were evacuated from their homes. ACT Europe forum members EHO and Philanthropy propose to support 600 most vulnerable affected households (approx. 2000 people) with MPCA. RRF 08 2023 Serbia Floods
Since the 30th of October, Tropical Storm Pilar (TS Pilar) has caused heavy rains and flash flooding, pouring between 144.5 and 210.0 mm of rain in the first 11 hours of the meteorological phenomenon. It rained the equivalent of the entire month of November. Given these conditions, the likelihood of flash floods in rivers and streams, urban flooding, landslides, and falling rocks and trees is high. As of November, at least three people died while more than 500 others were evacuated. The government has activated the emergency systems by issuing a nationwide red alert on October 29 and declaring a 15-day national state of emergency. The country has suspended classes nationwide until November 1 for public, private and higher education institutions. The Government of El Salvador has pre-equipped 100 shelters in different areas with the capacity to shelter more than 8,000 people. In a rapid assessment conducted by the Federation of Agrarian Reform Cooperatives Central Region (FECORACEN), local producers have reported serious impacts on their livelihoods and agricultural production crops. In certain areas of the country, up to 75% of bean crops and up to 50% of corn crops have experienced remarkable damage. Information at local level is almost non-existent and few humanitarian organizations are conducting rapid needs assessments. The members of ACT Alliance are carrying out a detailed damage and needs assessment in the communities most affected by the TS Pilar. Members of the ACT Forum El Salvador such as Christian Aid, the Christian Association for Education and Development, the Lutheran World Federation, the Salvadoran Lutheran Synod and the CREDHO Association are currently in the field and plan to provide support. Municipalities of San Miguel, Usulután, and Ahuachapán have approached the ACT Forum El Salvador to request humanitarian aid, as well as some government institutions such as the Crecer Juntos Institute. OCHA's office in El Salvador is coordinating the response in conjunction with NGOs and the National Civil Protection System. Despite the lack of information from the communities, the government and ACT Forum members have estimated that the more pressing humanitarian needs are related to the sectors of food security and nutrition, WASH, Psychosocial support, especially for children and women, and livelihoods. Cash transfer has also been identified as feasible for this response. The Salvadoran Lutheran Synod and ALFALIT are seeking to submit an RRF proposal to alleviate the most humanitarian needs based on the Damage and Needs Assessment being currently conducted in the targeted communities. The project foresees providing humanitarian services in the sectors of CASH, CBPS, protection, and WASH to reach 100 families in the 20 most affected municipalities (4,000 people; 2,040 women and 1,960 men). It is estimated that a budget of approximately USD 300,000 is required to develop and provide optimal humanitarian support. ACT Alert - El Salvador Tropical Storm Pilar 2023
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Karnali Province in western Nepal at around 11.47 p.m. local time (UTC 6.02 p.m.) on 3rd November 2023, with over 400 aftershocks occurring thereafter. The quake epicentre was in Ramidanda in Jajarkot District, some 65 kilometers northeast of Surkhet, the capital city of Karnali Province. Tremors have been felt in the adjacent Sudurpashchim and Lumbini provinces as well as other parts of Nepal. According to the Ministry of Home Affair’s updated information as of 7th November 153 have been killed, 256 injured and significant number of people are displaced in two districts, namely, Jajarkot and Rukum West. The quake has also damaged over 10,000 houses (6,000 completely damaged and 4,000 partially damaged) both public and private including at least 400 schools. Government has appealed for financial support to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and has highlighted the extensive damage in Jajarkot and Rukum West including to historic sites and public buildings. Survivors are sheltering in tents, facing cold weather challenges. As per initial assessments transitional shelter, winterization kits, WASH facilities, and psycho-social support to the most vulnerable, including children, women, elderly, and persons with specific needs, etc are the major needs on the ground. ACT Nepal Forum members FCA, LWF, FELM and Cordaid/KiA are available on the ground and planning to respond to the emergency. ACT Alert -Nepal Earthquake 2023
Due to rising water levels upstream primarily driven by heavy rainfall, the Akosombo dam experienced a major outflow causing massive flooding in the Eastern and Volta regions of Ghana. This action was prompted by the escalating water levels upstream of the Akosombo Dam, primarily due to heavy rainfall in the area. According to the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), the most affected region is the Volta Region. The floods have resulted in the destruction of residential properties and farmlands and significant disruptions in essential services, especially water and electricity. The displaced persons are hosted in schools and other institutions living in overcrowded conditions as accommodation is scarce. The displaced have limited access to safe water and this may lead to an outbreak of waterborne diseases due to unhygienic conditions as many are cooking outside. ACT Alliance national member in Ghana, Presbyterian Relief Services and Development is planning to respond to the needs of the affected. Ghana_Widespread Flooding
On October 7, the Government of Israel declared war, after Palestinian armed groups breached the security barrier at several points resulting in significant loss of life while simultaneously lunching barrage of rockets into Israel. The declaration of war has initiated a series of airstrikes on the densely populated Gaza Strip. This offensive has led to the loss of thousands of Palestinian lives, over 50% of them are women and children, and over 6 thousand individuals sustaining injuries. The ongoing hostilities have created a dire humanitarian crisis, with homes, schools, medical facilities, and critical infrastructure being extensively damaged or destroyed. The impact of this conflict has forced approximately 400,000 of Gaza's 2.2 million residents to flee their homes, either out of fear for their lives or due to the destruction caused by airstrikes. Many have sought refuge in UNRWA schools and churches even though some of these shelters have also been damaged by airstrikes. The number of those affected by the hostilities is anticipated to rise. The Israeli government on 13 October, has requested the Palestinians to ‘relocate to southern Gaza immediately’ without any guarantee for their safety or their return, this concerns almost 1.2 million people residents in the northern parts of Gaza. Furthermore, Israeli authorities have cut off the water supply to Gaza, exacerbating an already severe shortage of potable water. A complete siege ordered by the Israeli government has severed access to electricity, food, and fuel, further aggravating the dire humanitarian situation. Gazans now have access to electricity for only 3-4 hours per day, hindering the functioning of health facilities and the treatment of the injured. As a result of the war in Gaza there has been an escalation of tension and this has led to increased violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including confrontations, casualties, settler-related violence, and attacks on healthcare, for the seventh consecutive day. ACT Palestine Forum members DSPR, LWF and ELCJHL are requesting to activate the ACT humanitarian mechanism for an appeal for responding to the urgent needs with special focus on people who have been directly affected by the current conflict. Alert - Gaza Conflict
On October 7th around 11 am a 6.3 magnitude of earthquake hit the western Afghanistan Herat province followed by number of aftershocks felt even after two days of the earthquake. According to the OCHA flash update # 3 and the assessment conducted by CAID in Herat, Afghanistan To date, it is estimated 12,110 people (1,730 families) have been affected by the earthquake across five districts of Herat Province. The epicentre of the earthquake – Zindajan district – is the worst-affected area with 1,294 deaths, 1,688 injuries and 100 percent of homes destroyed. A further 485 people (191 men and 294 women) are reported to be missing. Six schools are also reported to have been destroyed in the district, along with three early child development centres, and two community-based education classes serving 60 children; eight schools have also been partially damaged. Additionally, 33 unaccompanied minors, 17 unaccompanied elderly, and 53 female-headed households have been identified. Figures may raise as OCHA and other I-NGOs are conducting a joint assessment in all the earthquake affected areas of Afghanistan. ACT member currently working in Afghanistan and extending support to the earthquake affected population in Herat province. The ACT members mobilizing its preposition items and diverting funds to the earthquake to provide immediate urgent assistance to the affected population. ACT Alert Afghanistan EQ
120,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh home are rapidly leaving their native land as the result of hastening of a humanitarian crisis and fear of military attack by Azerbaijan army and blockage of the sole road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. As of 10 am on 28 September, the total number of forcibly displaced people is 66,500. The intensity of arrivals is very high; their number is increasing by the hour. People are arriving exhausted physically and mentally after 10 months of blockade, long waiting hours to cross the border with Armenia, in shock of military assault and fear of persecution. ACT Armenia Forum through the Armenian Round Table will access ACT’s Rapid Response Fund to provide assistance to affected people. ACT Alert Armenia Influx of Displaced People
Angola has been going through a prolonged drought due to three failed consecutive agriculture seasons in Cunene, Huíla, and Namibe provinces. As a result of the poor rain patterns, farmers have recorded a 40 % crop loss; greatly impacting negatively on household food security, income, and livelihoods. The drought in Angola falls under one of the most under-reported or forgotten humanitarian crises (CARE– breaking the silence, 2023).In Angola, this is the worst drought in 40 years, and it has been characterized by hunger and rising food prices affecting an estimated 3.8 million people resulting in 114,000 children under the age of five acutely malnourished (UNICEF: HAC 2023 report). The drought is caused by irregular or lack of rains for farming communities as farmers have not harvested sufficient food due to the poor rains over several past seasons. Many have lost their seed stock, and livestock (oxen) that were used for plowing their field have also died. The situation is predicted to be most critical from August to Oct/Nov 2023. During this period, all food reserves will be depleted, the man-made dams (Chimpakas) will be dry, and basic food prices will be at their peak. According to the Global Network Against Food Crisis (GNAFC) report, Angola is among the countries where the food security situation is forecasted to remain critical due to below-average rainfall, and humanitarian assistance until the next harvest is needed to prevent further deterioration. The national member of ACT Angola Forum the Council of Churches of Angola (Conselho de Igrejas Cristãs em Angola) CICA is planning to respond to the drought crisis through Rapid Response Funds. Angola Drought
Over the past three and a half months, there has been a sudden surge in the number of asylum seekers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) arriving in Tanzania, from Masisi and Rutshuru territories in North Kivu. Currently, asylum seekers are traveling from these territories and resting at Goma before proceeding to Tanzania via Bukavu and Uvira. Pastors, priests, fishermen, and good Samaritans are supporting asylum seekers at night with means of transport- boats to Kigoma from Uvira, Makobola, and Baraka. Upon reaching Lake Tanganyika shores in Tanzania during the night to morning hours, some transporters organized by pastors are taking them to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) Kigoma Office and mostly recently to the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) office and Immigration posts in Kasulu and Kigoma. As of 19th June 2023, 11,764 Congolese asylum seekers arrived in Tanzania via Kigoma and Kasulu borders, out of which 11,531 have been registered by UNHCR as refugees and relocated to Nyarugusu refugee camp. The government's stand has been for the refugee emergency response in Kigoma to be a transit location and temporary and to settle refugees in Nyarugusu camp. ACT (Action by Churches Together) Tanzania Forum members are alert and closely following the situation in DRC as it may continue to be more complex as the country anticipates holding its general election in December 2023. Tanzania has an encampment policy and refugees in the camps are restricted from engaging in income-generating activities and no market is allowed to operate within the camps. The Tanganyika Christian Refugee Service, a member of ACT Tanzania Forum is planning to respond to the DRC Refugee Influx through Rapid Response Funds supporting WASH, Non-Food Items, and Psychosocial support. Tanzania DRC Refugee Influx
The situation of the refugees in Lebanon has been exacerbated by a series of disasters ranging from the beginning of an economic crisis, the outbreak of COVID-19, and the devastating 2020 Beirut blast. Lebanon has the world’s highest number of refugees per capita. The country hosts around 500,000 Palestinian refugees, 500,000 migrant workers from different nationalities and 1.5 million Syrian refugees of whom about 78% lack legal status (UNHCR) and 89% live below the extreme poverty line. The political and economic situation in Lebanon has reached a critical stage, bordering on a large-scale emergency that threatens to push the country into collapse. Lebanon is teetering on the brink of becoming a failed state. As the prices of essential goods continue to surge, and the local currency further depreciates during 2023. The impact is disproportionately severe on vulnerable and impoverished families, particularly women, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, who are struggling to meet their basic needs in a dignified and safe manner. Combined with the political deadlock in the country and the inability to reach a common understanding of how the country should proceed, the economic crisis only worsened to extreme lengths. As a result, the Lebanese currency continued to depreciate while inflation increased. Of course, this meant that more people fell into poverty and those already classified as vulnerable are now in a much more difficult position. ACT Lebanon forum Members (DSPR- JCC, HEKS-EPER and MECC), are getting ready to respond to this crisis with focus on sectors of Health, Education, Basic needs, Livelihoods and MHPSS. Alert-Lebanon- Protracted Crisis
Typhoon Doksuri (Egay) started as a low-pressure area and later on became a tropical depression in Southeastern Luzon last July 21, 2023. As it traversed westward over the Philippine Sea, it turned into a typhoon on July 22 and became a Super Typhoon when it approached Northern Luzon on July 25. Various tropical cyclone warning signals ranging from 1 to 4 were raised in several Luzon provinces including Metro Manila with TCWS #5 being declared in the northern Babuyan islands at the peak of the typhoon. The super typhoon’s Alert Note_Typhoon Doksuri on July 26 as it makes two landfalls in the vicinity of Fuga Island in Aparri and Dalupiri Island in Calayan, both in Cagayan province. It moves West Southwestward at 15 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 240 km/h. The fifth tropical cyclone to hit the country this year, Doksuri displaced thousands of families who were then evacuated in safer areas, destroyed road and bridges and houses made of light materials. The super typhoon affected 12 regions of the country. As of July 27, there were 158,076 families or 538,021 individuals affected in 1,686 barangays in Regions 1,2,3, IV-A CALABARZON, IV-B MIMAROPA, Region 5, Region 6, Region 10, Region 12, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) including the National Capital Region. About 8,670 families are staying in 581 evacuation centers in the affected regions. The total number of displaced populations is currently at 12,851 families (29,372 persons). Damaged houses reached to 2,298 with about 2,186 partially damaged. (DSWD-DROMIC 27 July 2023) There were also 84 municipalities affected by power interruption due to damage electrical posts caused by the strong winds of the super typhoon. Initial estimate from the Department of Agriculture pegged the damage and losses to agriculture to Php53.1 Million.
On June 15, 2023, heavy rains hit the territory of the Republic of Serbia, causing floods throughout the country. 56 cities and municipalities affected by flash floods declared a state of emergency. Houses are flooded, massive material damage is done to crops, and infrastructure is damaged. More than 300 people are evacuated from their homes. The weather forecast predicts new precipitation in the coming days, so there is a possibility of new floods. Landslides have been triggered in some municipalities, endangering houses. ACT Alliance Europe Forum members EHO and Philanthropy are planning to respond with Rapid Response Funds to support the most affected families. Alert Serbia Floods
Early Tuesday, June 06, 2023, the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant Dam which crosses the Dnipro River on the front line in Nova Kakhovka in Khersonska – has led to massive flooding, forcing dozens of thousands of people to flee and impacting at least 46 towns and villages which have been reported fully or partially flooded, according to the Ukrainian authorities. Kakhovka Reservoir, which was formed by the Kakhovka Dam and stretches 240 kilometres through Zaporizka, Dnipropetrovska and Khersonska oblasts, is one of the largest water sources in the south of the country. It provides water supply, including drinking water, to major industrial cities, including Kryvyi Rih, Marhanets, Nikopol and Pokrov, home to nearly 700,000 people. ACT Alliance Ukraine Forum member HEKS with its local partner is planning to respond with Rapid Response Funds to support the most affected people. Alert Ukraine Kakhovka dam destruction
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
