Help the most vulnerable to prepare for emergencies
In communities around the world living in extreme poverty, it is often women and children who suffer the most when emergencies strike.
We have to act fast, to save lives.
That is why our dedicated emergency fund is so important. Thanks to this fund, we can begin work immediately, whenever a humanitarian crisis unfolds. And our long-term work with communities around the globe means our local staff and partners are best placed to get relief quickly and efficiently to those who need it most.
When a series of devastating earthquakes hit Syria and Turkey in February, we drew on the emergency fund to enable our local partner, Violet, to respond immediately in northwest Syria. We were able to distribute food, shelter equipment, blankets and warm clothes straight away to families in desperate need.
We are also currently responding in East Africa, which is facing one of the worst humanitarian crises on record. 20 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are facing severe hunger and water shortages. Families have been forced to flee their homes in search of water for themselves and their livestock, a situation which is being made worse by the climate crisis.
Right now, around the world, families are being forced to leave their home due to droughts or flooding, while countless others have left everything they know behind to escape the ongoing violence in places like Ukraine and Afghanistan.
Sadly, we know that emergencies caused by conflict and the climate crisis are likely to become increasingly frequent in future. It is vital that we have the funds to be prepared for these crises, wherever and whenever they strike. 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.
€3 a month
€3 a month could train local women to provide first aid when disasters strike.
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Putting Women First In Emergency Response
Maryan outside her home in Somaliland (Credit: Mahelder Haileselassie/ActionAid)
When disaster strikes, the rate of gender-based violence increases drastically, and women and girls are at severe risk of physical and sexual abuse. In times of droughts, like we are witnessing right now in East Africa, young girls must walk further to get clean water which puts them at greater risk of being harmed. Girls are often forced to drop out of school and marry young in order to provide for their families. Their health is also put at risk by becoming young mothers.
Women trained by ActionAid to be leaders in emergencies are providing first hand, emergency response including running protection services and first aid support at safe spaces.
Training women in vulnerable communities on how to prepare and respond when disasters strike is vital. When disasters strike, ActionAid-trained women leaders are on the ground, ready to respond. It is essential that there are women on the ground responding to emergencies for women’s issues and gender inequality to be recognised and addressed.
How your donation will be used
Every donation counts, and we’re grateful for whatever you can afford. A one-off donation is a fantastic start, but it’s crucial we can be there for women in the long term — whatever it takes. From creating safe spaces for women and children in conflicts to making sure women are part of essential crisis-response decision-making, your support could transform entire communities and save lives.
*Your donation will fund ActionAid’s work with women and girls wherever the need is greatest. All of our audited accounts are available to view here, as well as details on our finances.
