ACT Alert – Cambodia conflict and displacements

On 7 December 2025, long-standing tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand disputed border escalated into renewed conflict, including artillery exchanges, air strikes, and heavy fighting in multiple frontier areas.

As a result of the ongoing conflict, around 498,242 people have been displaced of whom 260,417 are women and 158,323 are children . The numbers are likely to increase as there has not been any cessation of hostilities agreed by the two countries at the time of this appeal.

Displacement has been reported across six border-affected provinces: Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Battambang, Pursat, and Koh Kong. Siem Reap Province is significantly impacted as a key host area for people fleeing from Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear). Other seven provinces have received some displaced population by hosting them with their relatives.

According to government figures 322,545 people have moved to 196 sites established by government while the remaining 175,697 people  staying with relatives. Due to conflict 17 civilian died and 77 injured (MoI, 16 Dec 2025). 883 schools have been closed, affecting 208,985 students and 7,278 teachers (HRF, 12 Dec 2025).

The need assessments revealed that Shelter/NFIs, Food, WASH specially sanitation facilities, safe drinking water, Primary Health care services , Maternal and Child Health (MCH)/immunization, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and education are the main needs of the displaced population.

ACT Alliance Cambodia forum members including, CWS, DCA, FELM, HEKS/EPER, LHCO and World Renew are currently on the ground and planning to extend its support to the affected areas.

ACT Alert – Cambodia conflict & displacements

Kenya: Drought

Kenya is facing a severe drought caused by late, below normal, poorly distributed rains during 2025’s long rains (March-May) and short rains (October– December 2025). The cause of the drought is attributed to the effects of La Niña and a negative Indian Ocean Dipole, which typically suppresses rainfall in the Horn of Africa (ACAPS). Initially, Kenya’s October -December 2024 short rains were classified as below average overall, severely affecting food security and livelihoods, particularly across the 23 arid and semi-arid lands (UNOCHA)

The Government of Kenya, through the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), has implemented a Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP), which provides USD 20 (KES 2,700) monthly cash transfers to vulnerable households in Arid and Semi-arid lands (ASAL) counties. However, coverage and impact remain limited due to funding constraints. Kenya’s national drought contingency plans exist under the National Drought Management Agency (NDMA), though full activation is constrained by financing gaps (NDMA).

In late 2025, Members of Parliament from the Northeastern Region of Kenya issued public warnings about the escalating drought, calling on the government to declare the current drought a national disaster to facilitate urgent humanitarian support.

Women, children, the elderly, especially from pastoral households living in arid and semi-arid lands, are the most affected.

ACT Kenya Forum members intend to respond to the drought situation in their areas of work.

Kenya Drought

 

ACT Alert- Sri Lanka Floods Emergency

Sri Lanka is currently under an urgent heavy‑rain and flood alert due to an active low‑pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, which meteorological forecasts indicate may intensify and bring very heavy rainfall across the island.   Over the past week, several provinces have already experienced persistent downpours, resulting in flooding, rising river and reservoir water levels, and damage to infrastructure, including reports of damaged canal banks and flooded paddy fields, landslides in various districts.

According the Disaster Management Center around 27,000 families and 89,000 individuals in 25 districts have been affected by floods in Seri Lanka (Situation Report – Sri Lanka 7th December 2025 at 1200hrs – Sri Lanka | ReliefWeb)  The death toll from the situation has reached 627 while more thank hundred are still missing. so far. Due to floods around 80,000 houses are fully and partially damaged.  The rare weather system is expected to unleash more heavy rainfall and strong winds over several provinces, which will continue to create an extremely high risk of flooding, landslides, and further displacement. Many families have reportedly exhausted food supplies amid unabated rainfall, waterlogging, and disruption of local markets.

According to WFP report, Floods and landslides have damaged agricultural lands in several districts. The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has launched hotline 1918 for farmers to report crop damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

ACT Alliance member the National Council of Churches Seri Lanka is currently on ground and initiated its response in the affected areas by engaging with the local networks and volunteers.

 

ACT Alert Sri Lanka Flooding

Somalia: Drought

Somalia is facing a rapidly worsening drought caused by La Niña, negative Indian Ocean Dipole, and Climate Change (Relief Web), resulting in four consecutive failed rainfall seasons according to OCHA (2024 & 2025). making fragile communities vulnerable and food insecure,

The drought is characterized by below-average rainfall, severe water shortages, depleted pasture, declining livestock conditions, and weakened coping mechanisms OCHA.

Conflict and insecurity have further compounded the crisis by disrupting traditional migration routes, limiting access to water and markets, and restricting humanitarian operations, according to Relief Web, in addition to funding shortfalls.

Based on the forum’s initial assessment, the drought crisis would be a large-scale national emergency, as declared on 10th November 2025, by the Somali government, which is calling all stakeholders to mobilize resources to scale up lifesaving support. This came as worsening rainfall deficits, atypically dry conditions, and deteriorating livestock productivity signalled a sharp rise in humanitarian needs.

ACT Somalia Forum intends to respond to the drought in the most affected regions.

Somalia Drought

Syria: Protracted Crisis

Syria is facing a complex, protracted, and multi-dimensional humanitarian emergency that has now entered its fourteenth year. A widespread unrest in 2011 has evolved into a long-term crisis marked by extensive destruction, fragmented governance, mass displacement, and the severe deterioration of essential public services. As of 2025, an estimated 16.5 million people (out of a pre-war population of about 23 million) require humanitarian assistance.

Internally, over 7.4 million people remain displaced within the country, while more than 6 million registered refugees live abroad (primarily in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan). By September 2025, 1 million Syrians have returned to their country following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government on 8 December 2024.

Syria’s crisis today is defined by the convergence of conflict, economic collapse, population displacement, damaged infrastructure, and weakened institutional capacity. These interlinked pressures continue to push people further into vulnerability and reduce their ability to recover. Without sustained humanitarian support and investment in essential services, the situation will continue to deteriorate, deepening humanitarian needs and prolonging the suffering of millions across the country.

ACT Syria Forum members plan to respond across protection, health, education, WASH, livelihoods, and cash support sectors.

ACT Alert Syria Protracted Crises

Thailand: Southern Thailand Flood Emergency

On November 24th Heavy rainfall in south of Thailand which resulted in severe flooding in Songkhla province, in Hat yai District of Thailand. Hat Yai district received 335mm (13 inches) of rain on Friday, its highest in a single day for three centuries.

According to the government and media reports more than a million people have been affected by the floods in southern Thailand. On Tuesday the government of Thailand has declared its southern Songkhla province a disaster zone, after heavy rainfall left thousands stranded and at least 145.

Floodwaters were running as high as 2 metres (6.6 feet) in some areas, days after the province’s Hat Yai district received 335mm (13 inches) of rain on Friday, its highest in a single day for three centuries.

Local administration together with the law enforcement agencies and disaster management authority have initiated its response in the affected areas. The local authorities across the affected districts and  in Songkhla are carrying out a series of emergency response actions.

The ACT Alliance Thailand forum convened a meeting to discuss the current flooding situation in the country and a possible response. The Church of Christ in Thailand through its Social development and services unit (SDSU) has initiated its emergency response by engaging with the local church network.

As per initial assessment the key needs identified are provision of shelter, Food and no food items, wash facilities, health services and cleaning equipment.

ACT Alert – Southern Thailand Floods

Indonesia: North Sumatera Province Flooding

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, Moderate to heavy rain began falling in the western and southern regions of North Sumatera Province in Indonesia.

Flood incidents were reported on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Seven districts/municipalities were affected by massive floods, with landslides emerging as the secondary impacting hazard. Based on the BMKG estimates, adverse weather and heavy rainfall are expected to continue until the end of November 2025.

The western and southern of North Sumatera Province is the most severely impacted, namely Pakpak Bharat, Padang Sidempuan, Tapanuli Utara, Sibolga, Tapanuli Selatan, Tapanuli Tengah, and Mandailing Natal as reported by the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of North Sumatera Province on November 26, 2025.

To date, a total of 20 fatalities, 58 injured people, and 6 individuals reported missing have been recorded across the affected areas. In South Tapanuli District, floods and landslides have resulted in 8 fatalities, 58 injured residents, and the displacement of 2,851 people. In North Tapanuli District, 50 houses were damaged and two bridges collapsed due to flooding and landslides. In Central Tapanuli District, flooding affected 1,902 houses across nine subdistricts. Meanwhile, in Mandailing Natal District, 1,200 households were forced to evacuate to nearby villages, with four villages submerged under water up to four meters deep. The flooding also inundated 15 hectares of rice fields belonging to farming communities.

Based on the rapid initial assessment conducted by the partner’s member of ACT Alliance Indonesia Forum (ACTIF) which is located in North Sumatera, the disaster causes casualties and interferes with resident’s activities. The disaster disrupted the electricity and communication access and was currently challenged to get access to information on the latest conditions after the disaster. The Key needs identified are access to health, safe wash facilities and water, food and non-food items.

ACT Alert North Sumatera Province Flood in Indonesia

Uganda: Landslides Sebei

The Sebei Sub-region, located in Eastern Uganda, experienced multiple landslides and heavy flooding on October 30th and November 01st following prolonged heavy rainfall. The landslides have caused loss of lives, injuries, and displacement of households, as well as extensive destruction of homes, causing several families to seek shelter in schools and churches, according to media reports.

The disaster has affected over 7,460 people and over four hundred (400) Households, with more than six hundred (600) households still at risk, especially those living in the upper belt of the region.

The Church of Uganda has conducted a needs assessment and desires to respond and reach out to the affected populations with support to the affected families.

Landslides Sebei Uganda

Haiti: Hurricane Melissa and conflict related displacement

The humanitarian situation in Haiti represents a compound crisis resulting from the convergence of a rapid-onset natural disaster Hurricane Melissa and a protracted conflict-driven emergency.
The impacts of Hurricane Melissa (Category 3) have severely intensified existing vulnerabilities created by years of armed violence, displacement, and economic collapse.
Together, these dual shocks have generated widespread destruction, displacement, and protection risks, straining the capacity of national institutions and humanitarian actors alike.

Between 26–30 October 2025, a Category 3 tropical cyclone, made landfall over southern Haiti, bringing torrential rainfall exceeding 400 mm, flash flooding, and coastal surges across seven departments — Ouest, Sud, Grand’Anse, Nippes, Sud-Est, Nord-Ouest and Artibonite.

According to the Direction Générale de la Protection Civile (DGPC), 43 people have died, 13 remain missing, and over 14 000 people have been displaced. According to the UN, 1.25 million people have been affected in Haiti. Approximately 16 000 homes have been damaged or destroyed, and 10 health facilities have reported flood-related disruptions.

Since 2021, Haiti has faced an escalating wave of armed conflict and gang violence, driving widespread displacement, insecurity, and humanitarian need.
An estimated 5,600 people were killed in 2024, with over 3,000 additional deaths recorded in the first half of 2025. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that over 1.4 million people are internally displaced, many living in overcrowded informal shelters without access to water, sanitation, or protection services.

Armed groups currently control approximately 85–90% of the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, and have expanded their influence along the southern corridor, cutting off key supply routes and humanitarian corridors.

According to assessments key needs and gaps are Lack of safe potable water and adequate latrines for displaced and host populations,  Limited access to life-saving health and nutrition services,  Severe disruption of food security and agricultural livelihoods,  Unmet needs for emergency and transitional shelter and household kits, protection risks in collective shelters, including GBV exposure; and Persistent access and logistics constraints hindering timely delivery.

ACT Alliance members Christian Aid, Church World Service, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, Lutheran World Federation and World Renew are currently on the ground and planning to launch an appeal to address the urgent needs of the affected population.

Haiti ACT-Alert-Hurricane Melissa & Conflict related displacement

Cuba: Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa has reached Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with maximum sustained winds of 280 km/h, higher gusts, and an estimated minimum central pressure of 917 hPa, according to the Cuban Meteorology Institute (INSMET) and the U.S. National Hurricane Centre (NHC).

The threat level is extreme due to the potential for devastating destruction: a Category 5 hurricane is extremely destructive, capable of causing catastrophic damage such as the total collapse of most homes and the destruction of smaller structures. Sustained winds exceeding 280 km/h can uproot trees and power poles, causing power outages lasting weeks or months and isolating entire communities. The associated storm surge can also produce severe coastal flooding.

INSMET issued Advisory No. 16 on October 27, emphasizing that the outer bands of this hurricane will continue to increase cloudiness and rainfall in eastern Cuba, which may be heavy in some areas, mainly mountainous ones. Strong swells will persist in the seas south of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo, with light flooding expected in low-lying coastal zones.

The Cuban government has activated its national early-warning system and implemented a comprehensive contingency plan, which includes Mass Evacuations – Nearly 900,000 people have been evacuated from the eastern provinces, prioritizing the most vulnerable zones. This represents an estimated 25% of the population of those provinces.
As per initial information the urgent humanitarian needs include, shelter, Emergency food , safe drinking water, Non food items, psychosocial support and livelihood support. Detailed rapid need assessment will be conducted to get more information about the needs on the ground.

ACT Secretariat is in close contact with the Cuba forum members to plan for a possible response. more updates will be shared as soon as we get updates from the forum.

 

 

En Español

El huracán Melissa ha alcanzado la categoría 5 en la escala Saffir-Simpson, con vientos máximos sostenidos de 280 km/h, ráfagas más fuertes y una presión central mínima estimada de 917 hPa, según el Instituto Nacional de Meteorología de Cuba (INSMET) y el Centro Nacional de Huracanes de Estados Unidos (NHC).
El nivel de amenaza es extremo debido al potencial de destrucción devastadora: un huracán de categoría 5 es extremadamente destructivo, capaz de causar daños catastróficos, como el colapso total de la mayoría de las viviendas y la destrucción de estructuras más pequeñas. Los vientos sostenidos que superan los 280 km/h pueden arrancar árboles y postes eléctricos, provocando cortes de energía que duran semanas o meses y aislando comunidades enteras. La marejada ciclónica asociada también puede producir graves inundaciones costeras.

El INSMET emitió el aviso n.º 16 el 27 de octubre, en el que destacaba que las bandas exteriores de este huracán seguirán aumentando la nubosidad y las precipitaciones en el este de Cuba, que pueden ser intensas en algunas zonas, principalmente en las montañosas. Persistirán fuertes oleajes en los mares al sur de Granma, Santiago de Cuba y Guantánamo, y se esperan ligeras inundaciones en las zonas costeras bajas.
El Gobierno cubano ha activado su sistema nacional de alerta temprana y ha puesto en marcha un plan de contingencia integral, que incluye Evacuaciones masivas: se ha evacuado a casi 900 000 personas de las provincias orientales, dando prioridad a las zonas más vulnerables. Esto representa aproximadamente el 25 % de la población de esas provincias.

Según la información inicial, las necesidades humanitarias urgentes incluyen refugio, alimentos de emergencia, agua potable, artículos no alimentarios, apoyo psicosocial y apoyo para la subsistencia. Se llevará a cabo una evaluación rápida y detallada de las necesidades para obtener más información sobre las necesidades sobre el terreno.

La Secretaría de ACT está en estrecho contacto con los miembros del foro de Cuba para planificar una posible respuesta. Se compartirán más novedades tan pronto como recibamos información actualizada del foro.

ACT Alert – Cuba Hurican Melissa (Eng + Spanish)