Malawi is experiencing La Nina weather phenomena since onset of the rainy season and many districts have received above normal rainfall triggering flash floods in some of the Districts. Between the 4^th and 10^th February 2017, heavy rains caused the worst flooding in 4 Traditional Authorities (Ndindi, Pemba, Kambwiri and Maganga) in Salima district.  A total of 35,304 people have been affected; of which thousands are displaced and currently dwelling in school blocks. A total 1,827 hectares of agricultural land (crops: maize, rice, cowpeas, cassava and sweet potato) has been washed away together with livestock such as goats and chickens. Household belongings such as food stocks, clothing and kitchen utensils have also been washed away.

To date, no human casualties have been reported however there have been significant reports of injuries caused by the flooding. The displaced population have no food, shelter, sanitary materials, clothing, blankets and kitchen utensils. School children are also affected as their school materials and food rations were damaged.

ACT Alliance Malawi Forum members(Churches Action in Relief and Development (CARD)and Evangelical Lutheran Development Service (ELDS) will respond through Rapid Response Funds mechanism by providing life-saving support to 5,016 affected people in Salima District through provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), household Non-Food items (NFIs) and nutrition for under-five malnourished children.

RRFs_Malawi_Floods_No.RRF 05/2017

The beginning of 2017 entailed arctic cold, which brought a record breaking low temperature and paralyzed some parts of Ukraine, Russia and the whole of  Eastern Europe. The temperature in the region dropped to -30°C, resulting in transport collapse and damage to communal infrastructure, disruption of heat and electricity supply, frostbite of hundreds of people and a rapid growth of influenza and other disease rates in many places in Ukraine and Russia. According to official data to date, in Ukraine 40 people have died from the extreme cold conditions and about 900 have sought medical help; and in Russia several thousand people were affected.

The frosts damaged heat systems and led to disruptions of heat supplies. Harsh weather has led to a drop of temperature in the places where  Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and non-displaced conflict affected population live in Ukraine, as well as for Ukrainian refugees in Russia. This is especially true in villages in Ukraine, where houses almost never have proper insulation, which means that the temperature inside houses can be around +7 to +9°C. According to the meteorological forecast, Ukraine and Russia expect new bursts of cold weather in February, with temperatures that can plunge down to -20°C.

RRFs_Ukraine and Russia_Cold Snap_No.RRF 03/2017

Exceptionally harsh winter conditions from the beginning of January 2017, with temperatures at times going down to -30 degrees Celsius, have already claimed lives across Europe – among them refugees from various countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia. The cold wave started already at the beginning of January peaking end of last week and building up to a small – scale emergency. Meteorologists forecast new freezing waves in Serbia, with lots of snow and freezing rain. It is estimated that this winter will be one of the coldest in the last 50 years. Among cold snap affected people are already highly vulnerable refugees/migrants in Serbia.

As a reminder, in May 2015, an influx of refugees/migrants started to pass through Serbia. Very quickly, more than 5,000 persons were entering the territory of Serbia on a daily basis, transiting towards Western and North Europe. However, the closure of national borders along the Balkan route in early 2016 left refugees/migrants stranded in Serbia.

RRFs_Serbia_Winterization support_No.RRF 02/2017

The 2017 Darfur Programme (DP) Appeal marks the 14^th anniversary of the joint Caritas Internationalis (CI) and ACT Alliance (ACT) collaboration which commenced in 2004.

As has been mentioned in previous Appeals, the DP has been able to engage with and respond to the protracted humanitarian crisis that has continued to engulf the country. It has been about 13 years since families have had to leave their homes, their livelihoods and their land. To date, the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has, in the 2016 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) estimated that the ongoing conflict has left around 2 million Darfuri IDPs in need of humanitarian assistance and support. This does not include the impacts stemming from the conflict which broke out in the Jebel Marra (JM) region, in January 2016 which has displaced an additional 82,000 people throughout Darfur (OCHA Humanitarian Snapshot, September 2016).

The Sudanization process continues to be underway throughout the country. While no sign has been made that this government level strategy will come into full force in the year ahead, the DP continues to forge ahead; engagement and support – at all stakeholder levels – will continue, status quo, into 2017 should Sudanization become a clear reality.In line with NCAs revised country strategy and the context of Sudan (particularly Darfur), the DP will be making a solid effort to support its target communities through building ownership of NCA projects to ensure sustainability and long-term support.This will be done through an integrated and holistic approach; looking to all sectors of the DP to work and support one another instead of in sectoral silos. Examples of proven effectiveness can be seen through the efforts of the Ta’adoud project which NCA is an integral part of.

Appeals_Sudan_ Darfur Programme _ SDN 171

The arctic conditions from the beginning of January 2017 have already claimed lives across Europe. Conditions remain tough and constitute a small-scale, local emergency in south-eastern Romania. The severe winter weather hit Romania a week ago, when it started snowing heavily and temperatures dropped consecutively to -25 degrees Celsius.

The cold snap claimed the lives of many elderly people dying of hypothermia. 40,000 are affected by the weather and cut off by the blizzards in the South and East of Romania and in need of some form of humanitarian assistance. People have been trapped inside their houses leaving many with no access to food and medicine. Furthermore, affected people have no access to safe and sufficient amount of drinking water.

ACT member AIDRom plans to carry out winterization activities in the sectors of Food Security, WASH and NFI for a period of 2 months through the ACT Rapid Response Fund requiring 34,161 USD.

RRFs_Romania_Cold Snap_No.RRF 01/2017

Powerful Typhoon Nock-Ten or known locally as Nina, packing a maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 255 kph, entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on December 23. It brought heavy rain and fierce winds. The typhoon made eight landfall-from Bato, Catanduanes; Sagnay, Camarines Sur; San Andres Quezon; Torillos, Marinduque; Verde Island, Batangas; Tingloy Island, Batangas; Calatagan, Batangas; Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro. Typhoon Nock-Ten is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday, December 28. It affected at least 384 barangays (villages) in the four regions of Bicol (Region V), MIMAROPA (Region IV-B), CALABARZON (Region IV-A) and Eastern Visayas (Region VIII).

RRFs_Philippines_ Typhoon Nock-ten_No.RRF 11/2016

Over five years of violence in Syria, approaching its sixth year in March 2017; the crisis has brought death and destruction to Syria. Millions of people have been forced from their homes or have fled the country. Many of them are children.  Around 6.3 million people are displaced inside Syria, 5 million people live in besieged cities and hard-to-reach areas, and 4.8 million refugees live in the neighboring countries and beyond.

UNHCR statistics of 19 December 2016, reported 4,810,981 Syrian refugees registered. This figure includes 2.1 million Syrians registered by UNHCR in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt, 2.7 million Syrians registered by the Government of Turkey, as well as more than 29,000 Syrian refugees registered in North Africa.

As of 9 December, 2016, the UN-coordinated inter-agency Syria Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP 2016) was 55 per cent short in requested funding, or US$1.8 billion, out of an overall requested of $3.19 billion. This is concerning given the deteriorating situation across Syria, particularly given recent developments in Aleppo and the upcoming winter season. The continuous funding shortfall affects the ability of the UN, its partners, and INGOs to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance, including food, water and medical supplies, particularly facing the near collapse of Syria’s healthcare system, operational hospitals, medical staff and supplies of recent months.

ACT requesting members (RMs) in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, through their SYR171 appeal, are aiming to assist in reducing the vulnerability and alleviating the suffering of people who are affected by the conflict in Syria. Building upon the 3RP; ACT JSL requesting members will work across key sectors where the needs have been identified as the greatest in order to support the most vulnerable populations impacted by the ongoing crisis in Syria.

Appeals_Syria_Humanitarian Crisis_SYR171

The Iraq crisis is becoming a protracted and an ongoing conflict. The World Bank report of 1 October 2016 said Iraqi economy is facing severe and pressing challenges.

Currently, 10 million Iraqis are in need of some form of humanitarian assistance. In 2016, 11 million Iraqis are estimated to require some form of humanitarian assistance; by the end of the year, as many as 12 million to 13 million Iraqis may be in trouble. The full cost of meeting humanitarian needs in Iraq at international standards is estimated at $4.5 billion to $5 billion. Recognizing the many constraints present in Iraq, including limited funding and operational capacities, the UN response plan targets 7.3 million people for humanitarian assistance. INGOs assistance and contribution is also requested.

ACT requesting members (RMs) in Iraq: Lutheran World Federation, Christian Aid, Norwegian Church Aid, and Hungarian Inter-church Aid, through their ACT appeal: Support to Internally Displaced People and Their Hosts in Iraq including the Mosul Military Operation – IRQ161, and with the support of ACT funding members- are responding to the needs of the targeted vulnerable in Iraq through different humanitarian sectors. In doing so, RMs are cooperating with their local partners, to alleviate suffering and build resilience of internally displaced persons and host communities in Iraq by improving access to essential assistance and recovery activities.

Appeals_Iraq_Support to IDPs and their hosts_IRQ161

The tropical cyclone (Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson scale) ‘Vardah’ pounded Chennai, the capital city of South Indian State of Tamil Nadu at an unprecedented 130 km/h for about 90 minutes during the afternoon of 12^th December 2016, until it crossed the city and travelled inland, bringing at least 10 cm rainfall. The Government of India stated that 16 people had died in rain related incidents linked to the cyclone, and more than 15,000 people in low lying areas were evacuated to 104 relief camps and provided food, water and medical services. Moreover, more than 2,000 houses have been completely damaged and 3,500 houses have been partially damaged. A total 250,000 persons have been affected due to cyclone Vardah in Tamil Nadu.

Preliminary Appeals_India_Cyclone Vardah in Tamil Nadu_IND162

A 6.5 Richter scale earthquake with the depth of 10 km struck Aceh Province in Pidie Jaya District at 05:03 am on 7 December 2016. The earthquake did not generate a tsunami; however many buildings in several areas collapsed. In addition to Pidie Jaya, both Pidie and Bireun districts were affected; butPidie Jaya District was the hardest hit,requiring temporary shelters in 6 sub-districts: Bandar Baru (272 persons), Trienggadeng (1,099 persons), Meureudu (4,000 persons), MeurahDua (4,270 persons), Ulim (200 persons), and LuengPutu (460 persons)^[1]. In total, at least 10,301 displaced people were relocated to temporary shelters, with some estimates putting the total number of displaced people at 43,000.

Based on the release from news local media, BNPB (National Disaster Management Agency) and the Crisis Centre of Ministry of Health about the severity of the situation as of 11 December 2016, there were 102 deaths, 136 severely injuries (mostly broken bones) and 600 persons minor injuries reported.

On December 9, the infrastructure damage report in Pidie Jaya District alone, revealed 2,874 severely damaged houses, one heavily damaged hospital, 234 collapsed shops, 29 damaged mosques, 3 damaged pesantren (Koranic schools) and one damaged college building.

For transportation access, although many roads were cracked, they are still accessible for the delivery of relief supplies. Assessments are ongoing, and there have been many challenges in compiling accurate, disaggregated data.

The government of Aceh province announced a state of emergency until 20 December 2016 with the possibility for a prolonged crisis response. While there is already a command post in place, and primary responsibility for the response has been taken by the provincial government, there are significant challenges to info-data collection, coordination and decision-making. The national government has taken on a support role.

^[1]Pusdatin BPBA (Data and Information Centre of Aceh Disaster Management Agency) at 08:30 a.m., 9 December 2016.

RRFs_Indonesia: Earthquake in Pidie Jaya district Nangroe Aceh Darussalam_No.RRF 10/2017