Following the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on 10 August, ACT Alliance members are preparing a coordinated humanitarian response to support affected communities, with particular attention to Chocó and other heavily impacted areas, including Caldas, Risaralda and Valle del Cauca. According to information available as of August 14th, at least 284 people have died, more than 3,977 have been injured and approximately 360,000 people have been affected nationwide. Thousands of homes and public buildings have been destroyed or damaged, while continued aftershocks, landslides and disruptions to roads and communications are compounding humanitarian needs, particularly in rural, riverine and hard-to-reach communities. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities are among those facing heightened vulnerabilities.
Through the ACT Colombia Forum, HEKS/EPER and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) are preparing a comprehensive response addressing urgent and evolving needs in WASH, emergency shelter and household items, food security,protection, mental health and psychosocial support, livelihoods and early recovery, alongside support for the rehabilitation of critical community infrastructure and essential services. The response will prioritize vulnerable households and communities that are difficult to reach through conventional humanitarian channels, while working closely with local organisations, faith-based partners, authorities and affected communities. As immediate life-saving needs are addressed, the response is expected pto progressively support safer housing, restoration of livelihoods, rehabilitation of community infrastructure and community-led recovery and resilience.
Serbia is experiencing severe drought and hydrological stress following prolonged high temperatures and reduced water availability. In Kraljevo, more than 60 Roma families are reported to be without access to drinking water, while 11 additional rural settlements with a combined population of 3,829 people have been identified as particularly vulnerable to water shortages. In Novi Sad, around 240 people from vulnerable Roma households are affected by extreme heat and very low Danube water levels, while in Plandište around 70 older people and children with developmental disabilities are considered particularly at risk.
ACT Alliance members Philanthropy – Charitable Foundation of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organisation (EHO) are considering a localized response in Kraljevo, Novi Sad &Plandište through the Rapid Response Fund (RRF). The proposed response would prioritize the distribution of safe drinking water and basic food assistance to the most vulnerable households, alongside water sampling and laboratory testing of rural water systems to identify potential public-health risks and inform further action.
Since March 2026, armed clashes between the AFC/M23 in the DRC have intensified across several territories, resulting in widespread displacement, destruction of livelihoods, and increased pressure on already vulnerable host communities. The growing use of airstrikes and drones has heightened the unpredictability of hostilities, placing civilians at greater risk and triggering repeated displacement (Relief Web).
According to UNHCR, Uganda faces a large-scale, complex, and protracted refugee displacement crisis driven by armed conflict and insecurity in Sudan and the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Sudan crisis began in April 2023 following the outbreak of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Since 5 December 2025, more than 100,000 Congolese refugees have fled to Burundi following the escalation of conflict between the AFC/M23 armed group and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in South Kivu and are settled along the Burundi–DRC border (Reuters).
As of 31 May 2026, Tanzania continues to receive Congolese refugees through the NMC Reception Centre in Kigoma, who are subsequently transferred to Nyarugusu Refugee Camp, which currently hosts approximately 88,277 refugees (UNHCR).
As a follow up to the CEA 241 regional appeal, the forums in DRC, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi are planning to respond to this crisis.
ACT Alert_Floods in Assam state, India
The Honduras Forum submitted the alert in response to the rapidly worsening food insecurity situation in the country’s Corredor Seco. Prolonged drought, erratic rainfall and an extended mid-summer dry spell have caused significant losses of staple crops, particularly maize and beans, while many vulnerable households have already exhausted their food reserves and are struggling with rising market prices. As of July 2026, approximately 95,000 people were classified in IPC Phase 4, facing Emergency levels of acute food insecurity. The urgency is further heightened by the narrow seasonal window for distributing seeds and agricultural inputs, which would allow affected small-scale farmers to make use of the upcoming planting season and avoid waiting until the next agricultural cycle.
The Forum has therefore prioritised underserved communities in Copán, Santa Bárbara and Lempira. ACT members OCDIH and CASM, which have an established presence and previous humanitarian response experience in the affected areas, intend to provide vulnerable families with food assistance, access to safe water and agricultural inputs to support the recovery of their productive livelihoods.
Honduras Food insecurity and Draught Alert July 2026 english
(en español)
El Foro de Honduras presentó la alerta en respuesta al rápido agravamiento de la inseguridad alimentaria en el Corredor Seco del país. La sequía prolongada, las lluvias irregulares y una canícula extendida han provocado pérdidas significativas de cultivos básicos, especialmente maíz y frijol, mientras que muchos hogares vulnerables ya han agotado sus reservas de alimentos y enfrentan el aumento de los precios en los mercados. A julio de 2026, aproximadamente 95.000 personas se encontraban clasificadas en la Fase 4 de la CIF, enfrentando niveles de Emergencia de inseguridad alimentaria aguda. La urgencia se ve acentuada por la limitada ventana estacional para la distribución de semillas e insumos agrícolas, que permitiría a los pequeños productores afectados aprovechar el próximo ciclo de siembra y evitar tener que esperar hasta el siguiente ciclo agrícola.
Por eso, el Foro ha priorizado comunidades desatendidas de Copán, Santa Bárbara y Lempira. Los miembros de ACT OCDIH y CASM, que cuentan con presencia establecida y experiencia previa en respuesta humanitaria en las zonas afectadas, prevén brindar a las familias vulnerables asistencia alimentaria, acceso a agua segura e insumos agrícolas para apoyar la recuperación de sus medios de vida productivos.
Honduras Nota de alerta inseguridad alimentaria y sequia julio 2026
It is estimated that over 3 million Zimbabweans reside in South Africa either legally or illegally. Recently, 3 vigilante groups have been calling for the forced removal of foreign nationals from their country. Due to increasing violence, xenophobic intimidation and displacement, more than 20,000 returnees have crossed the border into Zimbabwe. The 30th of June 2026 was the tipping point as the vigilante groups gave it as a deadline for all foreigners to leave South Africa.
The vigilante groups are violent; they have looted small businesses belonging to foreigners, dragged people out of their homes, and attacked school children at schools they believed to be enrolling foreign children, and the Government of South Africa is not speaking out strongly against this xenophobia.
As a result, Zimbabwe is experiencing an increased influx of its nationals from South Africa. The situation is exacerbated by the thousands of Malawians who are fleeing into Zimbabwe and not proceeding to their country of origin.
To date, more than 20 000 returnees have crossed the border, and there is no plan to accommodate, feed, or transport them to their villages or towns of origin upon arrival. Resultantly, these returnees are facing hunger and living in indecent and unsafe conditions at the reception centres.
Most returnees arrive at the Beitbridge border post with little or no resources and exposed to multiple vulnerabilities. The key challenges faced by returnees include a lack of safe and dignified accommodation at Beitbridge Border, inability to access food, basic hygiene, medical treatment, and lack of transport for onward travel from Beitbridge Border Post to their communities of origin. Cases of mental health, gender-based violence and protection have been reported. The returnees require support at reception centers to reduce the risk of destitution and to safeguard their protection concerns upon arrival.
The Ecumenical Church Leaders Forum of Zimbabwe (ECLFZ) is prepared to assist returning Zimbabwean nationals in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province with their reception, protection, and reintegration.
Karamoja Sub-region has been affected by widespread food insecurity due to crop failure, water and pasture shortages, and livestock losses, resulting in a slow-onset humanitarian emergency driven by prolonged drought, erratic and poorly distributed rainfall, and extended dry spells during the 2026 first agricultural season (BBC). Although rains in March 2026 supported initial planting, rainfall significantly declined from late April through June 2026.
The Ugandan government says at least 16 people have died from hunger in recent weeks in the north-eastern region of Karamoja due to a prolonged drought (BBC).
The drought has affected 8 out of the 9 districts in the Karamoja sub-region, namely Abim, Kaabong, Karenga, Moroto, Amudat, Kotido, Napak and Nakapiripirit, with Kotido and Kaabong being the most affected.
Two members of ACT Uganda Forum are planning to support affected communities with food assistance and psychosocial support. Church of Uganda in Kaboong District and Rural Action Community Based Organization (RACOBAO) in Napak District.
On 29 June 2026, torrential rainfall triggered severe flooding across Accra and other parts of southern Ghana, causing widespread destruction and major disruption to transport, livelihoods and essential services. According to initial reports, at least 13 people have died, seven remain missing, and more than 470 people have been rescued. An estimated 7,761 households have been affected and 38,802 people displaced.
Flooding has been reported across Accra, Tema and Kasoa, with low-lying communities including Alajo, Mallam, Achimota, Weija, Kaneshie and areas around the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange among the most affected. Homes, businesses and major roads have been inundated, leaving residents stranded and forcing many families to seek temporary shelter with relatives and friends. Further rainfall is expected across southern Ghana, increasing the risk of additional flooding.
The Government of Ghana has activated emergency response operations through the National Disaster Management Organization, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces and local authorities. Search and rescue, evacuation and recovery activities are ongoing.
According to initial assessments, affected households urgently require food assistance, safe drinking water, sanitation support, healthcare, shelter and essential non-food items, as well as psychosocial and livelihood assistance. Displaced families are facing inadequate living conditions, loss of household assets and disruption to their livelihoods, with women, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups facing heightened risks.
The ACT Ghana Forum member Presbyterian Relief Services and Development is present in the affected areas and is coordinating with NADMO, local authorities, Presbyterian congregations and community leaders. The member is considering an emergency response targeting approximately 1,000 vulnerable households through cash assistance, essential non-food items, safe water and hygiene support, psychosocial services and health screening. The Forum is considering submission of a Rapid Response Fund request to support the planned response.
In the past few days, 51 deaths have been reported in connection with floods and landslides in parts of Dhaka. An estimated 1.04 million people have been affected across 10 districts. At least 38,422 people are staying in 1,047 formal evacuation shelters. The flood emergency is affecting southeastern and northeastern Bangladesh, particularly the districts of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Habiganj, and Moulvibazar. The event is characterized by intense monsoon rainfall, flash flooding, river overflow, severe waterlogging, and landslides in hilly areas. Significant displacement, damage to homes and infrastructure, disruption of transport and basic services, and increased humanitarian needs have been reported across affected communities.
The Government activated the National Disaster Response Coordination Centre on a 24-hour basis and circulated emergency contact numbers. District administrations also convened disaster management committees to coordinate early warning dissemination, evacuation, shelter management, hot meals, and rescue operations, with support from the Bangladesh Army, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), Border Guard Bangladesh, the Fire Service and Civil Defense, police, and upazila administrations
according to initial information, Communities are in urgent needs for shelter, food assistance, safe drinking water, sanitation, healthcare, and protection support, particularly for vulnerable populations. Flood-affected communities face displacement, loss of shelter, limited access to food, safe water, healthcare, and heightened disease risks. In the long term, affected households may experience livelihood losses, deepening poverty, psychosocial distress, educational disruption, and slower recovery due to damaged assets and infrastructure.
Bangladesh forum members including CCDB and RDRS are already in the affected areas and planning to initiate its emergency response with the support from the ACT Alliance Rapid Response Fund.