Ethiopia is currently facing a complex humanitarian crisis as result of an ongoing drought combined with ethno-political conflict along Oromia and Somali borders (two of the largest regional states).

The current drought is an extension of last year’s (2017) drought which severely affected pastoral lowlands of Afar, Somali and Oromia. Over the past four decades, recurrent droughts have been affecting Ethiopia each time with increased intensity and frequency. The climatic phenomena known as El Niño and La Niña have left more than 10 million people in need of emergency assistance over the past two years.

The government of Ethiopia declared a state of emergency on March 2, 2018 for six months.

According to UN OCHA’s alert in February 2018, 8 million people need humanitarian assistance requiring around $895 million over the course of 2018. Lives remain at risk due to shortage of food and water and disease outbreaks coupled with malnutrition are prevalent.

ACT Ethiopia forum (AEF) is comprised of eleven organizations out of which two are national organizations serving as the development arm of two of the largest local churches in Ethiopia. AEF has a solid track record on delivering effective humanitarian response for over seven years.

ACT Ethiopia Forum intends to intervene in the areas of Shelter, Health, WASH, Early Recovery, Food Security, Protection and unconditional cash.

ETHIOPIA- Emergency Response to Drought and Conflict Affected Populations – ETH 181 (Concept Note)

In the evening of Monday the 18 December 2017, the district of Kanungu, Kisoro and Bundibugyo in Western Uganda, experienced a heightened influx of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) fleeing violence in North Kivu and Ituri regions. That week was characterized by two major developments: the unexpected surge of arrivals to Kyangwalli Settlement through the Lake Albert route and the arrival of Congolese refugees to Kyaka II settlement. More than 40,000 Congolese new arrivals have been received in Uganda since 1st December 2017.

Rwamwanja settlement which used to receive Congolese refugees entering through South-West Uganda has since reached full capacity, prompting the government to reactivate reception of new arrivals in Kyaka II and Kyangwali settlements. The settlements face numerous challenges including shelter, poor access roads, lack of infrastructure and inadequate access to clean and safe water. There are resentments within and among refugees arising from challenges posed by the situation as well as existing grievances from country of origin. In addition, LWF has recorded 102 GBV cases who have so far been supported with psychosocial support.

Two ACT Uganda members involved in this appeal are Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) both having extensive experience in their fields to respond.

Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has been operational in Uganda since 1981 providing humanitarian support to South Sudan and Congolese refugees. Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC), as a local national organization established in 1963 has a vast experience of community peace building and conflict transformation among refugees and host communities.

The overall objective is to ensure new arrivals have access to protection, shelter, WASH and are able to live in a peaceful environment. The Appeal targets 30,000 refugees both old and new caseloads in Kyangwali Settlement, Hoima district.

UGANDA-Emergency Response to DRC Refugees UGA 181 (Concept Note)

The current crisis in Iraq began in June 2014, when militants of the Islamic State Iraq and Syria (ISIS) seized control of over one third of Iraq’s territory within a few weeks. Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), the Kurdish Peshmerga and various armed groups engaged in the fight against ISIS, and finally recaptured Ramadi in February 2016, Hit in April 2016, Fallujah in June 2016, Mosul in July 2017, Tal Afar in August 2017 and Hawija in October 2017. The Government of Iraq announced the defeat of ISIS and regained full territorial control on 9 December 2017.

With the major military operations coming to end, many people are now able to return to their homes, and previously experienced large-scale displacements are likely to be over by 2018. However, smaller scale movements are still expected resulting from the tension between the government of Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government, triggered by the referendum on Kurdish independence on 25 September 2017.

Appeals_Iraq_Support to Internal Displaced Persons – IRQ181

IRQ181-Consolidated-Budget_approved

In the evening of Sunday 12 November 2017, the Governorate of Halabja region, North-East of Iraq experienced an earthquake in the magnitude of approximately 7.2-7.5, according to European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The epicentre of this earthquake was located 32kms from the city of Halabja. According to the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS), approximately 1,840,000 people were living within 100km of the epicentre of this earthquake in both Iraq and Iran. Local experts and seismologists in the area see potential occurrence of such shocks in the future as the area has entered into a new level of intensity, and therefore it is likely that future earthquakes will be of a same or higher magnitude.

Since November 2017, there have been nine reported fatalities and over 550 people injured in Iraq as a result of the earthquake, according to the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). The Darbandikhan areas has been most severely impacted, with most earthquake related injuries reported in Darbandikhan, Halabja, and Garmyan districts. Many houses in the areas of Darbandikhan, Maidan, Qurato and Bamo have been damaged and/or destroyed. According to the KRG, damage to the infrastructure was most severe in Darbandikhan, where landslides blocked the Darbandikhan tunnel. The water and electricity network of Darbandikhan was damaged and required significant repair. The water treatment plant in Halabja was partially damaged and produced clean water at only 50% capacity.

According to the KRG, the situation is stabilised. NGOs in the area are coordinating with each other.  However, an ACT Alliance response is needed as this will help the affected people to stay and re-build their The ACT Alliance intervention came at a point in time when the affected population were still willing to stay in the area and rebuild their livelihoods with some humanitarian support.

Appeals_Iraq_Earthquake IRQ171

Madagascar has been successively hit by cyclones since January 2018. Three cyclones have consecutively struck the island; touching the coast, bringing heavy rains which have caused severe and heavy flooding.

On the morning of Friday 16 March 2018, the region of Analanjirofo, was affected by tropical cyclone ELIAKIM, which came with a maximum wind speed of 100 kph alternated by gusts of 130 kph. According to the National Office of Disaster Risk Management (NODRM), ELIAKIM caused 21 deaths, displaced 15 000 and affected 38 000 people.

This occurred while local communities were still recovering from AVA, the first tropical cyclone, followed by a second storm DUMAZILE.

In the North-Eastern and Eastern part of Madagascar, towns have flooded,  buildings have collapsed, crops have been destroyed, roads damaged and communications knocked down by storm ELIAKIM. Currently, in Analanjirofo Region, there are 12 647 affected persons, with 8 353 displaced in the District of Maroantsetra, Fenerive-Est and Soanierana Ivongo.

According to needs assessments done (information co-related with secondary data), humanitarian gaps are in the sectors of Food, Non Food Items, Shelter, WASH (kits) and protection/psychosocial support. School children are also affected as their school materials and food ratios were damaged.

ACT Forum Madagascar is planning to respond, through ACT Madagascar National members Sampan’Asa momba ny Fampandrosoana FJKM (SAF/FJKM) who will support emergency response in Maroantsetra district, targeting 2 400 HH and SMT/FLM who will intervene in Fenerive-Est and Soanierana Ivongo districts, targeting 2 000 vulnerable families.

Proposed sectors of response by ACT Madagascar members include WASH, Protection/Psycho social support and Food Security.

MADAGASCAR-Emergency Response to Cyclone ELIAKIM – (RRF No. 3)

DRC, a vast country in Central Africa attracts less attention from donors probably due to its protracted nature; but continues to be in a humanitarian crisis. In October 2017, in line with UN Policies, DRC Level 3 emergency was declared as a consequence of the complexity of a conflict crisis. The appeal emergency covers the provinces of Kasai, Tanganyika and South Kivu.

The Kasai Provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo are currently experiencing violent ethnic/tribal conflicts. These conflicts have been fueled by the violent death of Kamuina Nsap the local tribal chief.  The death of chief Kamuina Nsap and subsequent calls among his followers to avenge his death has caused unrest among the population.

An unprecedented massive population displacement has been reported within and outside 5 provinces of Great Kasai which encompass Kasai namely, Kasai central, Kasai Oriental, Sankuru and Lomami to date.

Last year (June 2017), it was reported that 1.4 million people were forced to flee from their homes, escaping violence. Already more than 33,132 people have been reported to have crossed the border to Angola and neighbouring countries. There is also significant internal displacement by affected communities.

The DRC forum has launched a call for action (Full appeal) in response to the Kasai crisis due to the many emerging challenges in this crisis in DRC contextual scope even after DRC ACT alliance forum released the concept note.

DRC ACT alliance members namely Christian Aid (CA), Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) and Bureau Oecumenique d’Appui au Development (BOAD) are preparing a response in the sectors of NFI/Shelter, Nutrition, Psychosocial support, WASH and Food security amounting to $ 2,868,034 for a period of 18 months starting April 2018.

DRC-Emergency Response to Kasai Conflict – COD 181

Early this year, Zambia experienced continuous heavy rains which resulted in floods, causing significant damages and losses.

On Wednesday, 21st February 2018 districts of Petauke and Chama were reported to be flooded. These floods washed away a bridge connecting Lundazi and Chama districts causing heavy traffic delay and the floods also caused destruction of houses, leading to the displacement of community members.

There are presently 2,140 Households affected in Petaule and Chama districts with 377 community members evacuated and over 198 children requiring psychosocial support.

At least 500 affected households require Treated Mosquito Nets and lighting; blankets and clothing. According to reports from Zambia Disaster Management Mitigation Unit (DMMU), the government of the Republic of Zambia has provided tents, treated mosquito nets and clothing to 1,601 affected Households to affect families in only Chama.

Affected households are either staying at a community School or Church.

ACT Zambia Forum shall respond to floods in Chama and Petauke by re-constructing a school building and supporting 2,140 HH with food rations and emergency non – food items.

The ACT Zambia forum national member working on this response in Chama and Petauke is United Church of Zambia (UCZ).The response will continue for three months since floods shall continue to affect communities in Chama district(which is located in a valley).

ZAMBIA-Emergency Response to Storm and Flood affected populations in Zambia RRF 02

Malawi is experiencing the most severe prolonged dry spells and army worm infestation, which are threatening the agricultural production of 3.8 million people. With little or no rain in parts of the country and fall army worms still destroying crop fields, the outlook is alarming which will result in hunger for over 3.8 million people till the next planting season. Even before the prolonged dry spells, Malawi Government had declared a national disaster in December 2017 because of fall army worms.

The President of Malawi has declared this situation a national disaster, as a result the dry spell and the fall army worm infestation attack in December 2017. As a result, there is imminent food shortage in 20 out of 28 districts of Malawi. The following are the sectors that will be addressed by the Malawi ACT Forum

1. Health/Nutrition
2. Early Recovery/Livelihoods
3. Food Security.
4. Protection/Psycho social.

The ACT Malawi forum is planning to respond to the emergency through ACT forum members Churches Action in Relief and Development  (CARD) and Evangelical Lutheran Development Service (ELDS) due to their presence in the affected areas.

The Overall response will target 2,000 affected households (10,000 people) including 5,500 Females, 4,500 Males. These figures include people who will benefit from assistance in more than one sector of intervention.

Malawi-Emergency Response to Drought and Army Worm Infestation – MWI 181 (Concept Note)

In the evening of Wednesday the 24 January 2018, refugees fleeing fighting in South Kivu started streaming in Makamba and Rumonge Provinces aboard boats. Since August 2017, the security and humanitarian situation have significantly deteriorated in South Kivu, more specifically on the axis Sebele ‐Kikonde‐Kazimia, the southern coast of Kazimia (Yungu, Talama) and the coastal communities of Ubwari in the Fizi area. On-going clashes between the army FARDC (Democratic Republic of Congo Armed Forces) and the Mai Yakutumba rebel armed group—claiming to be from the National People’s Coalition for the Sovereignty of Congo (CNSPC)—are behind this deterioration of the situation since January 2018. Thousands of children, women and men have abandoned their homes, in the midst of intensified military operations against Mai-Mai armed groups in South Kivu province. Almost 7,000 people have crossed to neighbouring Burundi and an additional 1,200 to Tanzania. It is believed that many more are displaced inside South Kivu in difficult conditions without shelter or food.

Those refugees seeking to reach Burundi are mainly doing so by crossing Lake Tanganyika on small fishing boats. As of 28 January 2018, according to authorities in Burundi, 8,152 persons have crossed Lake Tanganyika and settled into Burundian provinces of Rumonge and Makamba (this includes 6,934 Congolese and 1,218 returning Burundians). On 29 January 2018, 823 additional persons arrived in Burundi. It is therefore estimated that a total of 9,078 people crossed to Burundi so far.

ACT Burundi Forum is planning to implement a project to provide life-saving assistance to Congolese refugees and host communities in Burundi. The project will reach a total of 6,578 households (3256 male-headed households and 3322 female-headed households). In total, about 32,890 individuals will be reached with food, cash and WASH interventions.

BURUNDI_Emergency Response to DRC Refugees – BDI 181 (Concept Note).