Emergency Aid Response | ActionAid Ireland

Disasters are increasing

The world is facing an unprecedented number of humanitarian disasters. From conflict zones to climate disasters, our local teams are responding—getting essential aid to people who need it most. We deliver food, water, shelter, sanitary products and medicine in the crucial first days.

But we know recovery doesn’t end there. When the cameras leave, we stay. Long after the initial emergency has ended, we provide emotional support and help families rebuild their lives.

Women and girls in emergency

When emergencies strike, women and girls often suffer most.

Women are several times more likely to die from disasters as men.

80% of people displaced by climate change are women.

When water sources dry up, women and girls must walk further to fetch water.

When crop failure impacts on family income, women tend to skip meals more than men.

During emergencies women are at an increased risk of sexual violence.

That’s why we believe if you could only do one thing to make the greatest positive impact on the lives of people in some of the most difficult places on the planet – that one powerful thing would be to listen to, and invest in, women and girls.

Local led, global impact

After an emergency, together with our local partners, we support women to lead the recovery. They drive solutions that deliver safety, food, healthcare, education and justice. They can best identify where the need is greatest and how your donation will have the greatest impact. Together, we help rebuild communities. We kickstart businesses. We reopen schools. And we advocate for long-term change.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution during an emergency. Every community is different. We listen. We adapt. We respond.

Gaza Genocide

The situation in Gaza continues to be unimaginable. For two years civilians faced bombardment, lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones. And then faced a man-made famine. The epic devastation affects everyone. But it has been especially brutal for women and children. Over half of Gaza’s population are children. They will now need lifelong care from trauma, loss, injuries and amputations without anesthesia.

ActionAid has been working in Palestine since 1993. Our staff and partners are part of the local community. They know the dangers, the challenges – and the solutions. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, we have reached over 793,868 people with humanitarian relief in Gaza since 2023.

Read more about our response and how you can support women, girls, and their communities in Palestine.

Donate now to our Gaza appeal

Distribution of maternity kits and household items, by ActionAid partner CFTA in Gaza

Myanmar Earthquake

In March 2025 a devastating earthquake struck Myanmar, claiming 4,000 lives and impacting millions. ActionAid’s local partners were among the first on the ground to provide urgent relief following the earthquake. In those critical first days, families who lost everything received urgent food, baby formula, clean water, hygiene kits and medical supplies. Our partners also worked quickly to provide 600 people with shelter after living under nothing but tarpaulin.

Months on, thanks to donations from the public, ActionAid has supported over 14,000 people. We continue to work with local partners to ensure communities have the resources they need to rebuild their lives. Response activities have included housing support, women-friendly spaces, sanitation, psychosocial support and livelihood training.

Fund our next response

Sadly, we know that emergencies caused by conflict and the climate crisis are likely to become increasingly frequent in future. It’s vital that we have the funds to respond quickly, wherever and whenever disaster hits. Regular donations help us to be ready when a disaster strikes.

By giving a monthly donation, you could help where the needed is greatest, including supporting families around the world with vital supplies such as food, hygiene supplies and shelter.

Fund our next response