13 SEP 24

What is CAN DO? 

The Church Agencies Network Disaster Operations (CAN DO) is a group of eight Australian faith-based aid and development agencies, led by Caritas Australia.  

The other seven members are Australian Lutheran World Service, Act for Peace, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, Anglican Board of Mission, Anglican Overseas Aid, Baptist World Aid Australia / Transform Aid International, and UnitingWorld. 

Why does CAN DO exist? 

In 2004 the Church Agencies Network was established, in recognition of existing collaboration between faith-based agencies in supporting vulnerable communities, especially in the Pacific. This network was comprised of 12 agencies all working across both aid and development. 

In 2015 eight of these agencies formed a subgroup focussed on aid rather than development – it specifically included those focussed on disaster response, as well as risk reduction, risk management, and resilience building work.  

In short, CAN DO was developed specifically to enhance collaboration across faith-based agencies that support communities facing disaster. 

How does it work? 

Most often, in an emergency, churches are first responders. They provide food, water, and shelter to those in need.  

Following earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in recent years across countries like Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, funds have been directed to the CAN DO Network from the Australian Humanitarian Partnership.  

The Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP), a is ten-year partnership that started in 2017 between the Australian Government and Australian NGOs, focussed on disaster resilience across the Pacific and Timor-Leste.   

So, following emergencies, the Australian Government has been able to direct funds through its AHP program to CAN DO – ultimately directing it to the church networks on the ground that are acting as first responders. 

Is it just used in the aftermath of emergencies? 

No, the great thing about CAN DO and the AHP is a focus on disaster prevention, management, and resilience as well as response. Climate-related weather events in the Pacific and Timor-Leste are only increasing, making disaster preparedness a crucial part of building resilience into these communities.  

The AHP has a specific program focussed on that task, called Disaster READY. CAN DO is crucial to realising the vision of Disaster READY, as it ensures programs can be activated through the combined networks of all church partners.  

Do you have an example of how that works? 

A current Caritas Australia and CAN DO run Disaster READY program in Timor-Leste saw young people receive drought resilience training as well as attend community awareness sessions on El Nino – a weather event typified by drought that is causing widespread food insecurity in the region. Many families in Timor-Leste are facing hunger with nearly half the population living below the poverty line, with 47% of children under 5 years of age experiencing stunted growth due to malnourishment. To further support these families some dioceses also received kitchen garden training sessions, as well as food parcels, drought resistant seeds and safe food storage containers.  

This program is implemented by local partners including the Caritas Diocese of Dili, the Caritas Diocese of Maliana, the Caritas Diocese of Baucau, ADRA Timor-Leste, Church World Service Timor-Leste, Fundasaun Sosial Naroman and Sharis Haburas Comunidade.  

The highly localised nature of these partners is a great example of why church networks are a crucial part of Australia delivering on its goal to support our neighbours in the Pacific and Timor-Leste as they face severe climate challenges.