The situation in the Palestinian Territories can be best described as a protracted protection crisis. The humanitarian conditions continued to deteriorate in 2021 as hostilities, heightened tensions and violence exacerbated an already dire situation.

The situation in the Palestinian Territories can be best described as a protracted protection crisis. The humanitarian conditions have continued to deteriorate as hostilities, heightened tensions and violence in recent times have exacerbated an already dire situation. The entire population has endured for the last 15 years a blockade of land, air, and sea blockade. The already severe strain on the population of having to live through four conflicts in the last 14 years have had devastating consequences for mental health with many across the Gaza Strip struggling to cope with complex trauma.

On 5 August, Israeli airstrikes were conducted in multiple locations in Gaza, including Gaza city, Beit Hanoun and Khan Younis. Subsequently, several rockets were fired from multiple locations across Gaza towards Israel. Exchanges of fire continued throughout 6 August. The Gaza Power Plant (GPP) shut down at noon on 6 August due to lack of fuel, causing rolling power cuts exceeding 20 hours per day. This places at severe risk the continuation of basic essential services.

According to a UNOCHA, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has experienced a disturbing increase in armed incursions into refugee camps, use of live ammunition against civilians and settler violence in the past twelve months. Displacement and demolition remain constant threats in East Jerusalem and Area C of  the West Bank.

The Appeal response members, Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) and East Jerusalem YMCA (EJ-YMCA) will respond to the humanitarian crisis in the oPt  targeting around 17,000 individual with an appeal to raise 853,713 USD to address multiple sectors, MHPSS/Protection, Health and nutrition,  and Early recovery / livelihood restoration.

APF_Appeal_PSE221

 A devastating earthquake of 5.9 magnitude struck eastern Afghanistan in the early hours of Wednesday, 22 June 2022, killing over 1,000 people, leaving 1,455 wounded and over 1,900 homes damaged. Two days later, another earthquake of 4.2 magnitude struck Giyan district in Paktika Province, killing another 5 people and leaving 11 injured. According to the aggregated numbers reported by the Ministry of Public Health, 1,036 people have been killed and 2,949 injured in the provinces of Paktika and Khost.

According to recent estimates, over 362,000 people have been affected by the earthquake and are in urgent need of USD 110.3 million in assistance over the course of next three months (July – September 2022). Preliminary analysis shows that the worst impacted districts are Barmal, Ziruk, Nika and Giyan located in Paktika Province and Spera and Shamal districts in the Khost Province.  Crucial infrastructures, includes homes, health facilities, schools and water networks, have been severely damaged which left people, specifically children, women, elderly and persons with disabilities even more vulnerable. NFIs, food, healthcare, WASH and cash assistance are some of the immediate needs of the population.

Community World Service Asia (CWSA) has accessed ACT Alliance’s Rapid Response Fund to provide cash assistance to people who have been affected.

RRF09 2022 Afghanistan Earthquake

Pakistan is in the grip of a blistering heatwave with parts of the country already scorched by extreme temperatures as officials warn of acute water shortage and health concerns.  April turned out to be the hottest month in the last 61 years, with Jacobabad registering 51 degrees celsius (123.8 F) on 15 May, 2022.  About 3.4 million people who are living below poverty line in Karachi and Umerkot are affected by the heat.  Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued drought alert on May 16, 2022 caused by less than normal rainfall and exacerbated by heatwave like conditions across the country as According to the United Nations’ ‘Global Land Outlook’ report, Pakistan is one of 23 nations that has experienced consistent drought in the last two years (2020-2022). Scientists have warned that the early arrival of a severe summer is linked to climate change, putting more than a billion people in the region at danger of heat-related consequences.

Community World Service Asia (CWSA) has accessed the Rapid Response Fund to support three heatwave facilitation centers in Sindh province that caters to at-risk communities.  These facilitation centers will be equipped with stretchers, pedestal fans, that can accommodate 10 to 15 people at any given time.  The centers will provide first aid treatment such as infusions, supplements, tablets for rehydration to the affected people.  

RRF 082022 Pakistan Heatwave

The Horn of Africa is experiencing one of its most severe droughts in recent history, with more than 15 million people acutely food insecure in three affected countries of Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia.

The drought could be catastrophic for people and livestock. The key gaps are poor access to food, safe water, basic education, support for livelihoods, psychosocial, and protection (due to migration of affected Households).

Within the three countries, the drought has affected food security, trade, labor, and migration. Women are affected by a lack of access to food and safe water and children are susceptive to high rates of mortality and mobility due to malnutrition, and reduced access to quality food. Animals have lost their lives due to a lack of pasture and water.

The current drought is already historic in its length and severity, and forecast models are now signaling an elevated likelihood that the Oct-Dec 2022 short rain seasons will also be below average (OCHA, May 2022).

ACT Alliance members in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia have raised a regional Horn and East Africa appeal in response to the drought.

HEA 221 Response to Drought

HEA221 Consolidated Results Framework

Super typhoon Rai, locally named Odette, brought torrential rains, violent winds, floods, storm surges and mudslides to Central and Southern Philippines in the afternoon of December 16, 2021. The 15th typhoon to hit the country and considered as one of the world’s strongest storms last year, STY Rai left a wide path of destruction and debris in high-risk areas in at least seven regions including MIMAROPA, Western, Central and Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, SOCCKSKARGEN, and CARAGA, affecting over 9.9 million people in 531 municipalities.

STY Rai left 1.57 million damaged houses, 500,000 more than of Haiyan, across 11 of the Philippines’ 17 regions. Of these, 423,492 are totally destroyed and the most affected provinces are Cebu, Bohol (Region VII) and Surigao del Norte (Region XIII), accounting for 61% of destroyed homes. More than a month after Rai’s onslaught, around 180,000-200,000 people remain displaced, either staying in evacuation centers or with family and relatives or other temporary housing.

ACT Philippines Forum members, National Council of Churches in the Philippines and World Renew will be responding in the severely affected regions of the country with an appeal budget of USD1,607,162.

PHL221 Typhoon Rai

Heavy rains hit different regions of Brazil, causing great damage. In the states of Sao Paulo (SP) and Rio de Janeiro (RJ), the most affected regions were: Metropolitan Region of the city of São Paulo and Alto Tiete region and the municipality of Petropolis – RJ. Between January 29 and 30, in SP, the amount of rain that hit the region was equivalent to the volume forecast for the entire month of January. In the city of Petropolis, RJ, on February 15, in just 3 hours, it rained a greater amount of rain than expected for the entire month of February. Such events have caused flooding, landslides, deaths, and other consequences.

In the city of Petropolis – RJ, the number of deaths reached 198 of these 119 are women and 79 men. Of this total, 37 are minors. 875 people are housed in 13 shelters according to official figures so far, however, there is still little information on the total number of families that were displaced. There is a greater fragility of aid in rural areas of Petropolis.

In the state of São Paulo, there are 5,770 homeless and displaced families and 37 affected municipalities. There are already 34 confirmed deaths as a result of flooding, flash floods and landslides. The highest number of deaths (18) is concentrated in the municipality of Franco da Rocha. This region still has dam infrastructure risk, which increases the severity of the scenario.
Brazil is still in the rainy season with the possibility of new heavy rains and the risk of new floods and landslides.

KOINONIA Presença Ecumênica e Serviço will provide assistance to the affected people through provision of food, cash assistance, and hygiene kits.

RRF 04 2022 Brazil Floods FINAL_adjusted