With our projects we want to reduce poverty sustainably and improve the nutritional situation permanently by means of innovative organic agriculture. Another focus is on migration and human trafficking. Together with our partner organisations, we work for the rights of migrants and for safe migration.
Building Climate Resilient Communities for Food and Income Security in India
Odisha has been ranked 9th among the nine poorest states in India where 29.35 % of the population is below the poverty line (Source: Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2022, UNDP & OPHI). The effects of climate change are aggravating the problems - many families are experiencing food and nutrition insecurity. Our project in collaboration with local partner Madhyam Foundation promotes sustainable farming practices, creates access to irrigation structures and identifies diversified income opportunities.
more information
Corona emergency aid in Nepalese quarantine centres
In Nepal, provisional quarantine centres were set up for the returning migrant workers from India. The infrastructure of these health centres is quite precarious and the care of the people is insufficient. AWO International supports the project by supplying hygiene products and running an awareness campaign.
more information
Coronavirus prevention in the Nepal-India border region
A vast movement of Nepalese labour migrants returning to their home country was triggered by the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic in India. Tens of thousands of people set out with their belongings on a long journey with an uncertain outcome; partly by bus, partly by bicycle or on foot.
more information
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Nepal
Nepal is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change. According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2020, Nepal ranks 10th among the most vulnerable countries. Every year, climate events such as floods and landslides, droughts and forest fires, and heat and cold waves lead to loss of livelihoods, especially in remote rural areas. This is where our Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation project comes in.
more information![[Translate to Englisch:] Gegen Vertreibung und unsichere Migration: In Gaibandha, Bangladesch schaffen wir neue Perspektiven für Migrant*innen und Klimavertriebene (Foto: AWO International/GUK)](/fileadmin/_processed_/e/d/csm_Bangladesch_GUK_a2989b48a9.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:] Gegen Vertreibung und unsichere Migration: In Gaibandha, Bangladesch schaffen wir neue Perspektiven für Migrant*innen und Klimavertriebene (Foto: AWO International/GUK)")
Against displacement and unsafe migration - new perspectives for Gaibandha in Bangladesh
Gaibhanda in northern Bangladesh is one of the poorest regions in the country. Due to the climatic conditions, it is particularly difficult for the inhabitants here to support themselves. As a result, more and more inhabitants are leaving their home villages to work elsewhere. Our project with the local partner organization Gana Unnayan Kendra, or GUK for short, aims to address some of the problems of migration and displacement due to poverty and climate change.
more information
Youth groups for social change in Ilam
In Ilam, a district bordering the tea plantations in Darjeeling, India, AWO International works together with the Human Rights Forum Nepal, HuRF for short. The project focuses on strengthening youth groups who work for safe migration and against human trafficking in their communities.
more information
Human trafficking and traumas - a way out through dance and movement therapy
In the foothills of the metropolis of Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal, AWO International works with the partner organization Kolkata Sanved against human trafficking. The project focuses on healing and empowering affected and disadvantaged women and girls through the medium of dance and movement therapy.
more information
Chances for a better future in the Far West of Nepal
The Far West of Nepal is home to a large proportion of those Nepalese who migrate to India in search of work. There is a lack of programmes in this region to strengthen the rights of migrants, to create prospects for them to stay and to combat human trafficking. Our partner organization National Environment and Equity Development Society, NEEDS for short, is the only organization working on the issue of safe migration in Doti and Kanchanpur Districts.
more information
How we stand up for women in Makwanpur
Preventing human trafficking and promoting the political and socio-economic participation of women: This is what AWO International and its partner organisation Women Skill Creation Centre, WoSCC for short, are working for in Makwanpur District in Nepal.
more information![[Translate to Englisch:] Im Rotlichtviertel Bowbazaar unterstützen wir Frauen mit berufsvorbereitenden Trainings (Foto: AWO International/SKHM)](/fileadmin/_processed_/8/4/csm_AWO_India_SKHM_cb40d9f93e.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:] Im Rotlichtviertel Bowbazaar unterstützen wir Frauen mit berufsvorbereitenden Trainings (Foto: AWO International/SKHM)")
New perspectives for the residents in the red light district of Kolkata
Bowbazaar is one of the oldest and largest red light districts in the metropolis of Kolkata in West Bengal, India. Here we work with our partner organisation South Kolkata Hamari Muskan, SKHM for short. The project aims to reduce gender-based violence and offers women the opportunity to go to a “Safe Space”. In addition, we provide health care and education and show the residents alternative employment opportunities.
more information
Humanitarian Aid- support for afghan refugees in Pakistan
More and more people from Afghanistan are seeking refuge in Pakistan. The situation in the shelters is very tense due to the high prices for food and the lack of necessary materials. Together with SOLIDAR Suisse, AWO International supports refugees with food, cooking utensils and other urgently needed relief supplies.
more information
Strengthening local capacities in disaster risk reduction: What we were able to achieve in West-Nepal
What needs to be considered in the event of a disaster? And what is the best way to take precautions? These and other questions were addressed by the disaster risk reduction project in West-Nepal, which was successfully completed at the end of 2021. Using various approaches and measures, the project strengthened the awareness and the capacities of local institutions and communities in preparedness and in dealing with natural disasters in a rural community severely affected by climate change.
more information
Pakistan
Approximately 242 million people are living in Pakistan. Many of them do not have easy access to drinking water and suffer from food insecurity due to natural disasters, lack of livelihood opportunities and high food prices. Already during the Afghanistan war 40 years ago, Pakistan - despite its own economic problems - took in millions of refugees from the neighbouring country. Since the Taliban took power in August 2021, many Afghans have again sought protection in Pakistan.
more information
A world without hunger: Securing food in Odisha
Odisha is one of the poorest states in India. Since 2009, AWO International has been successfully implementing poverty reduction and food security projects in three districts with its partner organisation Madhyam. With additional funding from the special initiative "A World Without Hunger", 83 villages in two further districts have been supported since 2015.
more information
Safe migration in Bangladesh
Hundreds of thousands of people from Bangladesh leave their home country every year to work abroad. The conditions under which many migrants have to work and live are usually catastrophic. In order to improve their situation, AWO International, together with the local partner organization WARBE, is implementing a project for safe migration in Bangladesh.
more information
Combating human trafficking and promoting safe migration
Every day thousands of people leave Bangladesh to work in other countries. Migration flows- including within the country - are a breeding ground for human trafficking. Many migrant women are sold and exploited as cheap labour. In cooperation with our partner organization Rights Jessore, we promote safe migration and take action against human trafficking.
more information![[Translate to Englisch:] Gemeinsam mit unserer Projektpartnerin GUK verbessern wir die sanitäre Situation und die Sicherheit von Frauen und Mädchen in den Flüchtlingslagern. (Foto: AWO International)](/fileadmin/_processed_/2/b/csm_Rohingya_Bangladesch_IMG_9515_621a81b71a.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:] Gemeinsam mit unserer Projektpartnerin GUK verbessern wir die sanitäre Situation und die Sicherheit von Frauen und Mädchen in den Flüchtlingslagern. (Foto: AWO International)")
Rohingya: Improving living conditions in refugee camps
The situation for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh remains difficult. Together with our project partner GUK we improve the sanitary situation and the safety of women and girls in refugee camps.
more information
Emergency aid in Bangladesh: food and hygiene goods for the victims of Cyclone Amphan and Covid-19 Preparedness
Cyclone Amphan hit East India and Bangladesh on 20th May 2020, devastating coastal areas with massive wind speeds of up to 190 km/h and heavy rainfall. Millions of people lost all their belongings - in the middle of the Corona pandemic. The serious consequences of this double crisis in our project region Assasuni in Bangladesh require immediate support and help.
more information
Fires tear through Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh
On March the 22nd, a major fire in the Balukhali refugee camp in Cox's Bazar has destroyed the shelters of more than 88,000 Rohingya refugees. Together with the organization Solidar Suisse, we are providing relief supplies and support, as well as training on how to prevent and deal with fires and burn injuries.
more information
"SLOWLY WE CAN LOOK AHEAD AGAIN"
On 27th July 2021, heavy rains in the region around Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh led to flash floods and landslides in the Rohingya refugee camps and the surrounding villages of the host communities. Just a few months earlier, large parts of the camps were hit by the outbreak of a devastating fire. In cooperation with our partner organizations on the ground, we supported the most affected families by providing relief goods and distributing cash.
more information
Better prepared for disasters
Climate change negatively influences the livelihoods of millions of people, especially in the Global South. South Asia is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters due to its geo-climatic characteristics. Our disaster risk reduction project strengthens community resilience and trains the Nepalese AWO staff and local partners on disaster risk reduction activities.
more information
Worst cyclone in West Bengal in 283 years - this is how we help the people affected in Pathar Pratima
Cyclone Amphan hit West Bengal, India, on 20 May 2020, devastating coastal areas with massive wind speeds of up to 190 kilometres per hour and heavy rainfall. Shortly afterwards, our team reached the heavily affected districts of Pathar Pratima and Mandir Bazar to provide local assistance to affected families.
more information