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.

[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.

3 girls and 2 boys are sitting on the floor talking. The girls are wearing long blue scarves, the boys blue shirts.

South AsiaPakistan

Flood relief and support for Afghan refugees in Pakistan

Many people from Afghanistan seek refuge in Pakistan. The devastating floods in Pakistan in 2022 have further exacerbated the situation. The negative effects of the disaster are still visible. Together with SOLIDAR Suisse, AWO International is supporting those affected by the floods and Afghan refugees with urgently needed relief supplies.

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

The ongoing Russian war in Ukraine has already forced millions of people to flee their homes, including many children and young people. According to the United Nations, around 18 million people in Ukraine are in need of humanitarian aid. Since February 2022, AWO International has been working with local partner organisations to provide emergency relief and reconstruction.

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.

[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.

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.

Central AmericaGuatemala

PROMOTING HEALTH - EMPOWERING INDIGENOUS WOMEN: MIDWIFE PROJECT IN NORTHERN GUATEMALA

Climate-related disasters and the deterioration of agricultural yields pose a serious threat to food security and health care in northern Guatemala, especially for mothers and children. Together with our partner organization ASESCA, AWO International is committed to gender equity, food security and environmental protection.

Health on wheels: Mobile clinic for vulnerable groups in crisis-ridden Lebanon

Two thirds of people in Lebanon need humanitarian aid. People with disabilities, the elderly and refugees who have difficulty accessing medical care are particularly affected. The mobile clinic of our Lebanese partner organization Mousawat provides them with urgently needed treatment.

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.

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

Emergency aid and reconstruction after the earthquake

On 6 February 2023, two major earthquakes struck the Turkish-Syrian border region. More than 50,000 people died and over 100,000 were injured. In total, 26 million people were affected. AWO International was active in emergency relief and continues to support the local population with psychosocial programmes and help with reconstruction.

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.

Man handing relief items to woman, with many children and young people in the background.

South AsiaNepal

Earthquake relief Nepal

On 3rd November 2023, an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, struck several places in the districts of Jajarkot and Rukum in the province of Karnali in western Nepal, followed by several strong aftershocks, 157 people lost their lives and over 10,000 houses in the two districts were completely destroyed. More than 500 people were injured. AWO International promptly responded to assess the needs and provide emergency aid to the most affected communities.

South AsiaIndia

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.