The impact of conflict on the most vulnerable

Right now, we are seeing a rise in conflict around the world, with conflict causing recent humanitarian emergencies in Gaza, Ukraine, and Afghanistan.

In communities around the world living in extreme poverty, it is often women and children who suffer the most when conflict or emergencies strike. Your support can help women and children who are vulnerable to gender-based violence, lack basic items such as food and hygiene supplies, and are suffering from the psychological effects of war and conflict.

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ActionAid’s response in Conflict: Creating Safe Spaces…

During times of conflict, ActionAid staff are on the ground working directly with women and children in affected communities to provide life saving aid and access to the support services they need.

Unfortunately, gender-based violence increases during and after emergencies, and often women and girls are specifically targeted for sexual violence.

ActionAid’s ‘Safe Spaces’ ensure women fleeing conflict can shelter in safety and receive essentials such as food, hygiene kits and medical or psychological aid. They also provide a safe space for women to come together, form friendships, allies and support.

Response to Emergencies - ActionAid work - Women and Children

…and supporting Female Led Response in Emergencies

While ensuring the safety of women and children during conflict or emergencies is paramount, we also know that women bring vital skills and experience during conflict.

Training women in vulnerable communities on how to prepare and respond when disaster or conflict strike is vital. Your donation supports women with training on women’s rights, leadership skills and disaster preparedness. 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.

Women trained by ActionAid to be leaders in emergencies are providing first hand, emergency response including running protection services and first aid support at our Safe Spaces.

How you can support survivors of conflict

By giving a monthly donation, you can help ensure that during times of conflict and crisis, women, children and families around the world are supported without delay.

Every donation will make a real difference in the lives of women and children who suffer the most when emergencies or conflict arise. A one-off donation is a fantastic start, but it’s crucial that women receive long term support— 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.

 

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ActionAid’s Response

Gaza

Gaza is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman or child right now. Nearly half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population are children, whose lives have been torn apart since Israel launched its retaliation for the brutal Hamas attacks of October 7, in which more than 1,200 people were killed. Since then, two mothers are killed every hour, with 70% of civilian fatalities being women and children.

Despite the dire circumstances, our local partners have supported 96,000 people to date, including by putting up tents, distributing food and hygiene packages and providing psychosocial support.

Response to Emergencies - Gaza - ActionAid’s Response

Women and child helped by ActionAid during the Turkey and Syria Earthquake

 

“My son had a hernia operation in the hospital. The service was very good, and the doctors are excellent.”

Syria/Turkey Earthquake

One year on from the devasting earthquake that hit Syria and Turkey in February 2023, ActionAid’s response has reached more than 197,000 people, through search and rescue operations, providing food and shelter, mental health support and creating safe spaces for women.Our local partner in Syria, Violet, has worked tirelessly to help survivors, more than half of whom had already been displaced by the civil war in the country. At the Ain al-Bayda hospital, which is funded by ActionAid more than 27,000 people have received urgent medical care.

Safaa, a mother of three, had her home destroyed in the war, so she and her family were already living in a camp when the earthquake hit. She says: “In the past, we did not know where to go. Hospitals are far away, and we didn’t have any here. But now we have this hospital and it’s excellent. They give us medicines and everything we need.’’

 Can you support women and families be ready for when the next disaster strikes?

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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.

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