Emergency Response

Description

Make a difference and ensure the protection and safety of people with disabilities, so no one is left behind or excluded in an emergency response.

Emergencies like Cyclone Gezani in Madagascar

On Wednesday 11 February, Cyclone Gezani hit Madagascar, off the East Coast of Africa, with powerful winds up to 185 kilometres per hour causing widespread destruction, flooding, and landslides.

Over 250,000 people have been affected, including 9,000 displaced from their homes, over 50 confirmed deaths, and hundreds people injured or missing. As a result of floods thousands of homes and schools have been destroyed, and there is an urgent need for food-supply and medical access.

When disasters like this strike, people with disabilities are often both the hardest hit and hardest to reach, with further challenges around accessibility and livelihoods caused by the damage to roads and infrastructure in the region. This means that for people with disabilities, their situation has become increasingly more vulnerable.

cbm works with its partners to ensure the most vulnerable people are included in recovery efforts. Needs include emergency hygiene kits, food, safe drinking water, shelter, assistive devices and access to sanitation and mental health services.

Donate now to make an immediate difference by supporting the provision of life-saving essentials to adults and children and give people with disabilities access to vital services in times of emergency.

CBM’S EXPERTISE
cbm has a strong track record of responding to emergencies, working with local hospitals and organisations for over 100 years to provide life-saving aid to people with disabilities and helping rebuild lives and communities. We’re regularly asked to train and support other humanitarian organisations, helping ensure that the support they deliver reaches people with disabilities and other marginalised people.

When disaster strikes, people with disabilities are among those most vulnerable. Please pray for people affected by this devastation and donate now to support cbm’s emergency work across the world.

Your gift will help to provide urgent support for people with disabilities who are struggling in poverty and emergency situations. You will be providing live-saving essentials like food, water, hygiene products, blankets, medical kits and emergency shelter. Gifts will be prioritised for cbm’s response with any surplus funds used where the need is greatest.

Other Areas – The Pacific

Local Partner: The Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) and members:

The Cook Islands Disability Council (CINDC)
Nuanua-O-Le-Alofa (NOLA) in Samoa
Naunau o’e Alamaite Tonga Association (NATA)
Tonga National Visual Impairment Association (TNVIA)
Lavame’ata’e’iloa Association in Tonga

THE NEED

The Pacific is at the front lines of climate change, facing increasing severity and more frequent occurrence of natural disasters, rising sea levels and other climate-related challenges. Since 1950, natural disasters have directly affected more than 3.4 million people and led to more than 1,700 reported deaths in the Pacific region, with affected countries ranking amongst the highest number of people affected per number of inhabitants.

The remoteness of many Pacific Island communities makes persons with disabilities living in such communities at higher risk of the impact of natural disasters.

WHAT YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT CAN HELP FUND

The Pacific Disability Forum, the umbrella organisation of Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPO) in the Pacific Region, is supported to develop and implement a regional disability inclusive humanitarian strategy with their members in the region. With specific focus, this programme assists organisations of persons with disabilities in The Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga to develop disability inclusive humanitarian preparedness and response strategies for their respective countries.

This programme will ensure that people with all forms of disabilities and their representative bodies are included in the planning, design, implementation and monitoring & evaluation of humanitarian action.

The long term vision of this programme is strengthened resilience of persons with disabilities and their families in disaster preparedness, response and recovery in the Pacific Region. The overall aim is that disaster preparedness, response and recovery will be inclusive and accessible for persons with disabilities.

Emergency Alliance. A single, trustworthy way to make an impact.
cbm is proud to be a founding member of the Emergency Alliance. The Emergency Alliance is a simple and effective way for New Zealand donors to help in an international humanitarian emergency.