Cyclones, droughts and flooding are on the rise across Asia, leaving communities struggling to recover between disasters. Many communities in Asia lack access to clean water, sanitation and decent healthcare, leaving them especially vulnerable when disaster strikes. We work with our partners on the ground to get lifesaving emergency supplies to communities so that they can rebuild and recover.
West Sulawesi earthquake
Over 90 people have been killed, more than 1100 injured, and at least 9000 displaced after West Sulawesi in Indonesia was hit by two earthquakes on January 14 and 15. Over 300 houses and several key government buildings were also damaged, including two hospitals. Road access and communications were cut off in Mamuju district.
The challenges of responding to the earthquake have been magnified by COVID-19, where the hospital system is already under strain. On Friday when the second earthquake hit, Indonesia reported over 12,000 new infections.
Caritas Australia’s partners are on the ground responding to the immediate needs of the families who have been temporarily displaced.
Families across the region are in urgent need of:
- food
- clean water
- clothing
- hygiene kits
- blankets and mats
- medical attention
- personal protective equipment (PPE) and shelter
Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam hit by back-to-back typhoons
The devastation caused by the worst storms and flooding in the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam in nearly a decade, is urging us all to act. Since early October, Vietnam and Cambodia have experienced unprecedented rainfall and severe flooding. Several people have been killed, and hundreds of thousands of homes have been submerged.
The region has now been hit by two back to back typhoons.
Typhoon Quinta hit the Philippines on October 23, and was followed by Typhoon Goni – the most powerful storm to hit the country since Typhoon Haiyan – only a week later. These typhoons have brought havoc, hitting the Philippines with winds of up to 225 kilometres per hour, and causing even more flooding in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Across the region, homes were and livelihoods lost to the storms and floodwaters. Entire villages are isolated or without power. Some regions have lost communications and road access due to landslides and flooding.
Hundreds of thousands of people have fled to evacuation centres, where the risks of spreading COVID-19 are high. On the day that Typhoon Goni hit, there were nearly 3,000 new cases reported in the Philippines alone. Families need help to return to their homes to rebuild after this crisis.
The need to provide vital aid to those affected by the unfolding disaster is great. You can help provide critical supplies, services and essential food that will save lives.
When emergencies hit, we are on the ground with
Food, water and emergency shelter
Hygiene and sanitation kits
Medication and health services
Trauma support
We're in a unique position to assist communities before, during and after emergencies. Our network reaches across Asia, and also works within parishes, schools and healthcare centres. But we can only continue this work with the help of generous, kind-hearted people, like you.
With your help, we can be there when crises hit, providing essentials for survival: food, water, sanitation supplies and shelter.
Please give what you can so that children, women and men receive the vital supplies they need to survive.
We are currently supporting relief efforts in
Rohingya Refugee Crisis, Bangladesh
Led by Caritas Bangladesh, we have been distributing food, water, cooking utensils and sanitation supplies to refugees across Cox’s Bazar. We also assist families to build shelters and to access education and training.
South-East Asia Crisis
When Super Typhoon Goni hit the Philippines, it destroyed thousands of homes, and brought some of the worst flooding and landslides in decades to Cambodia and Vietnam. We are working with our partners to assess the damage and provide shelter, food and sanitation kits to those in need.
Cyclone Amphan, Bangladesh
When Super Cyclone Amphan hit, it destroyed thousands of lives and livelihoods. Many are now facing food shortages and lack access to clean drinking water. We are providing shelter, food and sanitation kits to those in need.
COVID-19 Prevention
In Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and the Philippines, we are distributing health educational materials and hosting awareness-raising sessions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. We are providing food, sanitation and hygiene kits (including masks and hand sanitisers) to those most at risk.
Where does my donation go?
Funds raised are used for emergency response activities across affected countries in Asia. If any funds remain after a crisis, they are kept in the Asia Emergency Appeal Fund so that we can respond to ongoing needs and future crises in the region.