Zimbabwe experienced a poor 2014/15 agricultural season characterized by dry spells in most parts of the country particularly in Masvingo and Matabeleland North and South Provinces. This has led to losses in agricultural production of over 60% drop in cereal production as reported by the Ministry of Agriculture Mechanization and Irrigation Development (MAMID). There is also loss of household incomes due to reduced labor opportunities in the agricultural sector.

According to the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZIMVAC) 2015, there is a nationwide cereal deficit of over 650,000 MT while an additional 350,000 MT will be required to feed livestock. This has put 1.5 million people at risk of starvation. According to ZIMVAC acute malnutrition in children has risen to 3.3% up from 2.3% in the previous season. Average household purchasing power in terms of maize grain dropped from 300 kilograms last season to 244 at the start of this consumption season and FEWSNET expects this trend to continue. Despite the ongoing lean season assistance, FEWSNET reported that most Districts are currently experiencing Stressed (IPC Phase 2) food security outcomes because of a lower than typical level of lean season assistance.

Alerts 02_2016 Zimbabwe_drought

The current food insecurity crisis in Ethiopia appear to be a result of a combination of factors that includes the pre-El Niño failure of the spring rains and the El Niño induced late onset, erratic and early cessation of the main summer rains. With the exception of some unseasonal rains, the northern half of Ethiopia faces a period of between five (eastern highlands agriculture zone) to eight months (western highlands agriculture zone) without rain.

Alerts 01_2016_Ethiopia_drought

ACT Alliance Alert Reference Number: 39/2015.

ACT Alliance members in Mozambique are planning to respond with provision and improvement of water sources, training of water user committees, community sensitization on improved sanitation and hygiene promotion, development of Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) initiatives, food assistance, provision of certified seeds, tools and training on agronomical/agricultural practises, and advocacy efforts.

Alerts_39_2015_Mozambique_Drought_Response

A low pressure system over coastal Tamil Nadu unleashed heavy showers in Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh, leading to massive floods in the regions. There were three consecutive spells of intensive rainfall, which have exacerbated the existing flood situation. The first intensive spell of rainfall was from the 8th to the 9th of November, followed by intensive rains again from the 15th to the 17th followed by the present spell which began on the 28th of November 2015.

Alerts 38_2015_India_Flooding_Southern_India

ACT Alliance Alert Reference Number: 37/2015.

An ACT Alliance response is needed to ameliorate the living conditions of IDPS in host communities following the increasing attacks of the terrorist group Boko Haram in the towns and villages of the Far North Cameroonian border with Nigeria. The Church of the Lutheran Brethren of Cameroon present on the ground with its diaconal department is well known in the affected areas and can lead many life-saving interventions if resources are available to respond to their urgent humanitarian needs.

Alerts 37_2015_Cameroon_IDPs in the Far North Region

ACT Alliance Alert Reference Number: 36/2015.

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and Finn Church Aid (FCA) are providing support to conflict-affected populations in CAR thanks to the ACT Appeal CAF151. LWF focuses on Social Cohesion, Food Security and Nutrition in the Nana Mambéré and Ouham Pendé Provinces. FCA is implementing Education and WASH activities in the Mambéré Kadéi Province, as well as in Bangui.

While this response is very necessary, the Appeal is not fully funded and pledges came rather late. This, combined with critical security issues, explain the reduced levels of implementation thus far. This is why the Appeal is being extended, until April 30^th 2016 (instead of December 31^st 2015).

Alerts_36_2015_CAF151_War_affected_Communities

ACT Alliance Alert Reference Number: 35/2015.

ACT members in the region coordinate the humanitarian response in the ACT Jordan/Syria/Lebanon (JSL) Forum. Members have carried out their own detailed needs assessments and response in various sectors, which include but are not limited to food, NFI, psychosocial support, persons with disabilities (PWDs), education, shelter, home repairs, hygiene, and health.

Alerts 35_2015_ Syria_Response

ACT Alliance Alert Reference Number: 34/2015.

ACT India Forum members, UELCI and CASA are currently monitoring the situation in their operational areas. The field staff are assessing the needs and should an intervention be necessary, will request an RRF or a Preliminary Appeal.

Currently, the needs are food (rice, dhal, cooking oil, salt, chilly powder, turmeric powder etc.) and non-food items such as clothes and daily household items.

Alerts 34_2015_India_Cyclone_Floods

ACT Alliance Alert Reference Nr 33/2015.

The ACT Forum-South Sudan is planning to respond through an overall objective of enhancing the living conditions of the most vulnerable people impacted by the protracted crisis through access to basic needs of life & resilience of their livelihoods. To achieve this, there is need to provide people affected with multi sector assistance in the following priority areas: Food Security and Livelihoods, Shelter & NFIs, Education in Emergency (EiE), WASH, Health & Nutrition, and Psychosocial support.

Alerts_33_2015_SSudan_Protracted_Conflict_Crisis

ACT Alliance Alert Reference Number: 32/2015.

ACT Pakistan Forum, comprising Christian Aid, Church of Sweden, Community World Service Asia, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, ICCO Cooperation and Norwegian Church Aid, is currently gathering information through different sources including local staff and partner organizations and a response will be planned based on the needs identified in the affected communities.

In Afghanistan, members are currently conducting assessments either directly or through partners on the ground. Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA) is geared to provide an immediate small-scale emergency response (food, water, blankets). Community World Service Asia is currently reviewing plans and potential gaps and is considering food, non-food items, winterization kits, WASH and health.

The situation is currently very fluid and can change drastically at any moment. Members are closely monitoring the situation and will plan a response based on the needs and gaps identified.

Alerts_32_2015_Afgh-Pak_Earthquake