In July 2011, the Horn of Africa was struck with a devastating drought. Millions of children were at risk of starvation, crops withered and the bodies of animals scattered the landscape.
ChildFund responded to this emergency by mobilising communities and providing emergency feeding, water and health care. These initiatives meant that affected families could remain in their communities, rather than being forced to leave home in search of food, making them stronger when the crisis was over.
Very young children, who are particularly vulnerable in an emergency, and pregnant or breastfeeding women were the focus of ChildFund Australia`s emergency response. From the onset of the drought, when food shortages were at their worst and the rains were nowhere in sight, ChildFund provided life-saving nourishment to 42,545 children under five and 9,186 pregnant or breastfeeding women.
We also assisted 20,866 older children and 2,263 women and men. Women like Beyenech (pictured above) from Ethiopia, a mother of four who was pregnant when the food crisis began. “My husband had to leave the area to look for work,” she told our staff. “We were alone. I was so worried my child would be born unhealthy.”
Beyenech received supplementary food and edible oil during the final stages of her pregnancy and regained enough strength to deliver her baby, whom she named Dagmawi. “After the feeding program I delivered a healthy baby boy. I`m so thankful,” she says.
An incredible 6,854 generous supporters responded to ChildFund Australia`s Horn of Africa Emergency Appeal, saving the lives of thousands of mums, dads and children. In total, $991,061 was donated by the Australian public to ChildFund`s appeal; of this, $417,489 was matched dollar for dollar by the Australian government`s aid program. These donations helped provide life-saving nourishment to 74,860 children, women and men.
ChildFund Australia`s emergency response would not have been possible without the support of Australian Aid. Unfortunately, our aid program is now under threat.
Last year, the government announced devastating cuts that will reduce Australia`s aid spending to the lowest level since records began in 1954. Treasurer Joe Hockey is expected to announce the first cut, of $1 billion, on Budget night (12 May).
If you believe these cuts are wrong, we urge you to stand up for Australian Aid:
- Join the movement to stand up for Australian Aid now
- Share this image on social media using #AustralianAid
- Interrupt Joe Hockey and use this online tool to email your local MP and Joe Hockey
In the aftermath of a cyclone, children are most vulnerable. They’re scared, perhaps separated from their families and may have seen their homes and communities destroyed.
Five-year-old Paloma`s preschool was completely destroyed by Cyclone Pam on 13 March. She is one of more than 40 children in her community whose education has been disrupted.
Below we explain the impact Cyclone Pam has had on children like Paloma, and how we’re helping to return the children in her community to normality.
Cyclone Pam devastates Vanuatu
Paloma lives in a small village on the outskirts of Vanuatu`s capital, Port Vila. Her community is made up of mainly migrant families who survive on very little income. Access to education, healthcare and other basic services such as water and sanitation is limited.
Head teacher of Paloma`s preschool, Celina, says: “During the cyclone we took shelter in a big stone house of our friends. Before we packed some books and moved them to the big house. When I came to the kindy in the morning after the cyclone, it was destroyed. Now we need to rebuild it, as our kids need to go to preschool.”
Helping children return to normality after disaster
In post-disaster situations, it is important that children can return to normality as soon as possible to minimise their trauma. Playing with their friends and resuming classes at school is a vital part of the recovery process. But with up to 50 per cent of Vanuatu`s education infrastructure destroyed or badly damaged, thousands of children are still unable to return to school a month after Cyclone Pam hit the tiny Pacific island nation.
26-year-old Lydia and her family live near the destroyed preschool that her three-year-old daughter, Luisa, attended. Lydia was due to give birth to her second child on the day the cyclone hit. Thankfully, she delivered a healthy baby girl two days later.
“We took shelter at a friend’s house,” says Lydia. “I was very afraid that the house would collapse and I could lose my family and my unborn child. But the walls of the house were strong enough. Two days after the cyclone I gave birth to my second daughter. Now I`ve come to help the teachers rebuild the kindy so kids from our village can start to go to preschool again.”
Reconstructing preschools so children can resume their education
ChildFund Australia, in partnership with Live & Learn Vanuatu, is supporting the reconstruction of these preschools so that children like Paloma and Luisa can return to a normal and stable learning environment as soon as possible. With the community contributing some materials and labour, donations from ChildFund will help provide additional resources to ensure the preschools are rebuilt quickly with improved construction materials and design to strengthen their resilience against future disasters. Water systems and sanitation facilities will also be restored and upgraded, so that children have access to safe drinking water and toilets, and hygiene training will be provided to protect children`s health.
ChildFund Australia CEO Nigel Spence says: “We are thankful to everyone who has donated to help rebuild schools and water systems in these poor and highly vulnerable communities in Vanuatu. The damage in these areas is extensive and they need urgent help. Your support will help keep children safe and minimise the disruption to their lives and education.”
Donate now to help children affected by disaster and crisis
To help children like Paloma, you can contribute in a number of ways. Make a donation and we’ll use your gift to help children who need it most, or become a Project Humanity partner to provide ongoing support.
Your donation will help rebuild schools, infrastructure and provide children with clean water in the aftermath of a crisis. Why donate? Because every child needs a childhood.
