Humanitarian action

AWO International is committed to humanitarian relief and reconstruction in the event of disasters. In cooperation with local partner organizations, we provide rapid and effective assistance to the affected population.

The aim of AWO International's humanitarian action is to contribute to the restoration of civilian everyday life in disaster and crisis areas. This includes measures such as the distribution of food and hygiene items, medical care and the promotion of reconstruction projects. AWO International also attaches great importance to shared learning experiences with diverse partner organizations in the implementation of humanitarian aid projects.

AWO International supports by supplying hygiene products and water tanks (Photo: AWO International)

South AsiaNepal

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.

To protect arriving migrants from corona, we distribute protective masks at border crossings and set up hand washing stations (Photo: AWO International/Needs/Nepal)

South AsiaNepal

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.

Two women hand an emergency aid package to an elderly lady.

Emergency aid after the earthquake in Turkey and Syria

Two major earthquakes with thousands of aftershocks occurred in the Turkish-Syrian border region on 6 February 2023. More than 50,000 people lost their lives, over 100,000 people were injured and 26 million people are affected. AWO International is helping more than 40,000 people to meet their most urgent needs.

Ein Mann und eine Frau stehen in einem Klassenraum vor einer Gruppe Kinder, die an einem Tisch sitzt. Jedes Kind hat einen Laptop vor sich. Der Mann und die Frau tragen Westen mit dem Aufdruck: "AWO Emergency Response, Aktion Deutschland Hilft".

EuropeUkraineRomania

Humanitarian aid in Ukraine

Against the backdrop of the ongoing Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, millions of people have already had to leave their homes, including many children and young people. According to the United Nations, 18 million people in Ukraine are dependent on humanitarian aid. AWO International has been active in emergency relief on the ground together with local partner organisations since February 2022.

Southeast AsiaIndonesia

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.

4 AWO employees and volunteers are standing in front of a white bus. The bus is marked "AWO Hochwasserhilfe" (AWO flood relief).

EuropeGermany

Flood relief in Germany

The flood disaster in July last year left a trail of devastation: more than 180 people lost their lives and thousands lost their homes. Together with the AWO Head association and the AWO regional associations Rheinland, Mittelrhein, Niederrhein and Westliches Westfalen, AWO International was active in the acute phase and supports the people even after the flood.

A young boy with crutches. Next to him is a medical doctor. Tents and plants are seen in the background.

Healthcare-services for refugees with disabilities in Lebanon

Refugees with disabilities have inadequate medical care in Lebanon, which leads to considerable limitations in everyday life. To remedy this situation, we are supporting a mobile clinic in the Bekaa region together with Volkshilfe Austria. Covid-19 prevention measures are also carried out.

The mobile clinic took care of injured people in the first ten days after the explosion (Photo: Mousawat/AWO International)

Emergency medical aid and recovery for victims of the explosion in Beirut

The massive explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut, which occurred on August 4, 2020, killed 180 people and destroyed houses within a radius of 20 to 30 kilometers. AWO International provided emergency aid and is involved in reconstruction.

[Translate to Englisch:] Die Crew der Ocean Viking bei einem Rettungseinsatz im Mittelmeer (Foto: Laurence Bondard/SOS MEDITERRANEE)

EuropeMediterranean

Civilian sea rescue in the Mediterranean Sea

Since February 2016 we have been supporting SOS HUMANITY (formerly SOS MEDITERRANEE), an organization that is dedicated to save lives at sea. The balance sheet confirms the urgent need for operations in the Mediterranean: More than 30,000 people have been rescued and taken care of onboard so far.

Together with OCDIH we support families financially to buy food and hygiene products (Photo: OCDIH)

Central AmericaHonduras

Corona in Honduras: Financial support for families

The poorer sections of the population in Honduras are facing major challenges as a result of the COVID 19 crisis. Strict restrictions on their access to work and income prevent them from working, and at the same time the government's aid measures are not comprehensive. AWO International therefore offers financial support that enables 388 families to purchase food and hygiene products.

Hurricane Eta caused severe damage in Honduras in November Hurricane Eta cased severe damage in Honduras in November 2020. (Photo: AWO International/OCDIH)

Central AmericaHonduras

Emergency relief project after Hurricane Eta in Honduras

On November 3, 2020, Hurricane Eta hit Nicaragua and then moved - softened as a tropical storm - across Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. Despite a significant drop in intensity, Eta caused widespread devastation. At least 200 people lost their lives, and 1.6 million people were severely affected.

Children playing in front of the wooden houses (ATUS) where 1000 families are expected to spend 18 months while their permanent homes are built (Photo: AWO International)

Central AmericaGuatemala

Humanitarian aid after the volcano eruption

On 3 June 2018, the Fuego volcano erupted in Guatemala. According to official figures, 178 people died and 250 are still missing. Together with our partner organisation ECAP, we continue to support those affected on the ground even after the emergency aid has ended.

Many families lost their homes due to Eta and Iota. The living conditions in the shelters are very cramped (Photo: AWO International/OCDIH)

Central AmericaHonduras

After Hurricane Eta and Iota: Reconstruction and food security for families

In November 2020, two hurricanes hit the Potrerillos region in Honduras. Only within 15 days. With a reconstruction project, AWO International helps families to get back into a normal life and strengthens disaster risk management within the community in order to prepare the community for future natural disasters.

3 Mädchen und 2 Jungen sitzen auf dem Boden und unterhalten sich. Die Mädchen tragen blaue lange Kopftücher, die Jungen blaue Hämden.

South AsiaPakistan

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.

South AsiaNepal

Emergency aid and reconstruction after flooding

Due to the continuous heavy rainfalls following the regular monsoon season, serious flooding and landslides occurred in western Nepal in October 2021. Twenty-one people lost their lives, and hundreds of homes were damaged or completely destroyed. Within a short time, our emergency relief team was on site to provide immediate aid.

AWO International provides emergency aid for people who have lost their homes and livelihoods as a result of the two typhoons Goni and Vamco (Photo: AWO International/CONCERN)

Southeast AsiaPhilippines

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.

[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)

South AsiaBangladesh

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.

Our partner organisation determines the needs in order to provide emergency aid efficiently (pic: AWO International)

South AsiaBangladesh

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.

The massive fire destroyed more than 10,000 huts in the world's largest refugee camp in Bangladesh (Photo: AWO International/GUK)

South AsiaBangladesh

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.

South AsiaBangladesh

"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.

The mobile clinic team cares for Syrian refugees in Lebanon (Photo: Volkshilfe Archive)

Including health care for Syrian war refugees in Lebanon

The refugees in Lebanon are still suffering greatly from the effects of the war in Syria, which has now lasted nine years. Basic medical care is particularly at risk for disabled refugees. AWO International supports a mobile clinic that gives disadvantaged people access to basic medical care, prostheses, physio- and psychotherapy.

[Translate to Englisch:] Modell-Gewächshäuser schützen das Saat- und Pflanzgut vor den Heuschrecken. (Foto: AWO International/ECO)

AfricaUganda

Serious consequences of locust infestation and COVID-19

When millions of locusts spread in Uganda in February 2020, the poor Karamoja region, which is heavily dependent on agriculture, was completely unprepared. Shortly afterwards, the global spread of Corona and the local aftermath from the global pancemic poses further challenges to the people of the region. AWO International supports the affected communities in their fight against the catastrophic consequences.

Our partner organisation COVOID distributing hygiene material in the Nakivale refugee camp (Photo: AWO International)

AfricaUganda

With information campaigns and hygiene packages against the spread of Corona

Uganda is one of the poorest countries in the world and suffers from a fully utilized health system. With the global spread of the COVID-19 virus, this system faces a huge challenge. Together with our partner organization COVOID, we distribute hygiene packages and carry out information campaigns.

AfricaMozambique

Mozambique

Since the end of the civil war in 1992, the living conditions of the people in Mozambique have been improving. Nevertheless, the country is strongly affected by extreme weather events such as cyclones and droughts, the Covid pandemic, as well as violent conflicts and a strained economy.

Our project partner OCDIH in Honduras was able to install photovoltaic systems in two regional offices with the financial support of Grüner Strom Label e.V..

Central AmericaHonduras

Installation of solar power systems for the projekt partner OCDIH in Honduras

With the funding from Grüner Strom Label e.V., our project partner OCDIH in Honduras was able to install solar power systems in two regional offices. In this way, OCDIH is setting a good example and demonstrates the ecological and economic effectiveness of renewable resources in the region.

Young women receive relief supplies consisting of female hygiene products, soaps, mouth and nose protection masks, disinfectants and cleaning supplies for the tube wells (pic: AWO Interntional)

South AsiaIndia

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.