Our work in the region, specifically in Indonesia and the Philippines, is focused on providing humanitarian assistance for people affected by natural disasters as well as on promoting safe migration and combatting human trafficking. With our local partner organizations we are ensuring the awareness and application of women’s and children’s rights. Our goal is to sustainably improve the living conditions of the marginalized and disadvantaged people in Southeast Asia. To achieve this, we partner with national and local NGOs who support people’s social structures and strengthen their self-help and advocacy capacity. We also cooperate with various stakeholders from the government, the civil society and academia. This approach helps promote the collective empowerment of communities and capacitating local organizations to sustainably tackle various issues.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Immediate response to the suffering caused by Typhoon Rai in communities in Southern Leyte
Typhoon Rai (locally known as Odette) hit the Philippines just before Christmas 2021, when the season of storms was supposed to end. This most violent of all typhoons in 2021 caused widespread destruction and suffering, affecting more than 11 Million people in its wake.
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Java Earthquake 2022
In November 2022, the district of Cjanjur, in western Java, was hit hard by an earthquake. After an earthquake, the readiness of the population to take precautionary measures for future natural events is often particularly high. Together with a new partner organisation, Yakkum Emergency Unit (YEU), we support those affected and we are now also active in the field of inclusive disaster risk management in Java.
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Halting child trafficking and sexual exploitation
Time and again, children and women on the Philippine island of Mindanao become victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation. In addition, cases of sexual abuse on the Internet are becoming more frequent. Together with our partner organization Child Alert Mindanao, we implemented protective measures and education programmes to strengthen the awareness on and protection of the rights of children and women.
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Fight against sexual exploitation of girls and women in Davao
Poverty and unemployment are the main causes that push many girls and women in Davao to become prostitutes and victims of human trafficking. Many girls are only 14 years old. Together with our partner organization – Talikala, we work to protect women and girls from sexual exploitation.
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Emergency aid for people affected by two severe typhoons in Malilipot
Super typhoon Goni (Rolly) and his smaller brother Vamco (Ulysses) devastated the homes and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people within two weeks, plunging them into a desperate situation in the midst of an unmanageable pandemic. Together with our partner organisation CONCERN, we are helping particularly hard-hit families.
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