Our regional office in Manila, Philippines, supports projects in Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia and the Philippines. Our work focuses on providing humanitarian aid, ensuring safe migration, and combatting human trafficking. By working closely with local partner organisations and authorities, we are able to make a lasting difference to the living conditions of disadvantaged people.
Rebuilding Lives, Restoring Hope
Following the devastating March 28 earthquake in Myanmar, families across the country are grappling with immense hardship. In a coordinated response, AWO International, in partnership with Aktion Deutschland Hilft and two local organizations, delivered critical food and non-food aid. This vital assistance is helping affected households to recover with dignity.
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From Rubble to Resilience: Empowering Myanmar's Earthquake Survivors
Rising from the rubble: In Myanmar, we're working alongside communities affected by the recent earthquake to rebuild homes, restore livelihoods, and create a stronger future. Our project provides support for shelter, livelihood, food security, and disaster preparedness, empowering families to not only recover, but also to build resilience.
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Safe Migration: Support for Migrant Workers and Their Families in the Philippines
Filipino migrant workers often face numerous risks due to insufficient planning and a lack of protective mechanisms. Our project with Atikha aims to support migrant workers by improving the migration environment and assisting them and their families from pre-departure preparation to reintegration upon return.
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Disaster risk reduction in the Philippines
The geographical location of the Philippines makes the country vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, volcanic eruptions and floods. In addition, climate change increases the frequency and intensity of natural disasters. Proactive preparedness allows people to better prepare for these climate-related risks and minimises the impact on the country's life and infrastructure. In cooperation with the local partner organisation CONCERN, we promote disaster risk reduction in the Philippines.
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Philippine farmers switch to green production
Together with the local partner organisation ECOWEB, AWO International supports smallholder households and strengthens the local capacities of the agricultural industry in Sibagat. Filipino farmers are introduced to the use of natural materials and practices that are climate-friendly and sustainable in order to protect the environment, improve their livelihoods and reduce poverty. In this way, local capacities can be strengthened and the impacts of extreme weather events and climate change can be better managed.
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Combating human trafficking in the Philippines
The COVID-19 pandemic and its lingering effects increase the risk of Filipino domestic workers becoming victims of trafficking and other forms of exploitation. In 2021, AWO International and the Philippine NGO Ople Center formed a partnership to respond to these new challenges for Filipino migrant workers.
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Disaster Risk Reduction and Reconstruction after Earthquake in Indonesia
On 21 November 2022, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck the southwest of Cianjur district in West Java, Indonesia. The quake claimed more than 600 lives and more than 100,000 people were forced to flee. Together with the local partner organisation YEU, AWO International supports the people in reconstruction and integrates disaster preparedness measures for the affected village communities.
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Promoting the rights of migrant workers in Southeast Asia
Labour migration in Southeast Asia is a phenomenon that has existed for centuries. Despite the economic benefits for countries of origin and destination, the situation of migrants and their access to social services is often precarious. Since 2021, AWO International, together with its local partner organisation Migrant Forum Asia (MFA), has been campaigning for the rights of migrant workers in Southeast Asia.
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Plastic waste instead of fish, exploitation instead of income
The coastal communities of the Philippine province of Sarangani depend heavily on fishing. But commercial fishing fleets empty fish stocks and fishermen lose their livelihoods. If they are hired for industrial fishing, they often fall victim to exploitation and human trafficking.
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Protecting migrant workers from exploitation and abuse
Every day, many women from the island of Mindanao leave their families to migrate abroad for work. A large percentage end up being exploited and abused. Together with our partner organization, MMCEAI, we aim to facilitate for a safer migration process for all stakeholders involved.
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Strengthening the rights of domestic workers in migration
About 10 percent of the Philippine population live and work abroad as migrants. This is mainly due to poverty and a lack of income opportunities in the country. Many women work as domestic helpers, where they are often exposed to abuse and exploitation. Together with our partner organization Center for Migrant Advocacy, we work to protect migrant domestic workers and their rights.
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Strengthening rights for migrant workers across borders
Hundreds of thousands of people leave Indonesia every year in search of better income. Many of them run the risk of becoming victims of abuse, exploitation and human trafficking. Together with our partner organization - INFEST, we are committed to facilitating safe migration and promoting decent working conditions in Indonesia and Malaysia.
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Protecting migrant women from Lombok from human trafficking and violence
Poverty and a lack of job opportunities in many communities on the island of Lombok push people to migrate to seek better economic prospects; a large percentage of these migrants often become victims of human traffickers. Together with our partner organization – ADBMI, we are implementing a project to protect migrating women and men.
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Safe migration for migrants from Lombok
Extortion, exploitation and violence are violations of rights that happen to many migrant workers. In their search for a better life for themselves and their families, they often end up in extremely precarious working conditions. Together with our partner organization - PPK, we worked for the protection and rights of migrant workers.
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