Tag: Humanitarian Relief and Disaster Risk Reduction

Lebanon Winter Relief

Lebanon is facing an unprecedented crisis. Economic collapse, the Syrian refugee situation, and the ripple effects of the Israel-Hamas war have intensified conflicts between Israel and Lebanon, forcing countless Lebanese people to flee their homes and fall into poverty. Syrian refugees living in makeshift tents or poor shelters are also facing severe hardships. As winter approaches, humanitarian needs are rapidly increasing. Low temperatures bring bitter cold, while seasonal storms cause melting snow, blocked drains, flooding, and landslides due to heavy rain and poor infrastructure. These challenges urgently require our prayers and support. Have you ever thought about families without heating equipment, relying on burning rubbish to keep warm? Last year, 30% of Syrian refugee families had no access

Response to the Wayanad Landslide in India

On 30 July 2024, multiple landslides occurred in the northern part of the Wayanad district of Kerala state in India. As of 9 August, the disaster resulted in the killing of 427 people, with 131 being reported missing. According to the authority’s figure, on 13 August, over 1,700 people were sheltered in 15 relief camps. The affected region received 570mm of rainfall in the two days leading up to the tragedy. This landslide was marked as one of the worst-hit disasters in the history of Kerala. The research conducted by World Weather Attribution, an international group of researchers, revealed that the heavy rainfall during the early hours of 30 July, which caused the landslides, is the third heaviest

Assam Flood Response

The Assam state of India has experienced unprecedented floods this year, with unexpected timing and intensity. The deluge was caused by incessant rainfall in late June, which affected millions and devastated vast areas. According to The Hindu, as of 21 July 2024, the death toll in this year’s flood, lightning and storm had increased to 113. In early July, the government had set up 489 relief camps and distribution centres in 21 districts, providing shelter to 286,776 people. Karimganj district was one of the worst hit by the flood, with 300 villages affected. Countless homes have been damaged, and families have been displaced. They face critical food shortages and urgent medical needs. The affected communities are confronted with

Afghanistan Flood and Bangladesh Cyclone Relief

On 10 and 11 May 2024, the northeastern provinces of Afghanistan, including Badakhshan, Baghlan, and Takhar, were hit by heavy rain and flash floods. At least 180 people have lost their lives, 242 have been injured, and a total of 8,975 houses have been destroyed or damaged, with 80% of the fatalities concentrated in Baghlan province. Bangladesh’s first tropical cyclone of the year, Cyclone Remal, made landfall in southern Bangladesh on the evening of Sunday, 26 May 2024. The adjacent western part of India was also affected, with wind speeds reaching up to 135 km/h. The cyclone resulted in at least 23 deaths and nearly one million people were evacuated to about 9,000 shelters. Over 8.4 million people,

Assistance to Myanmar Refugees

Myanmar has long been suffering from internal conflicts, and the Kachin State in the north has become a critical conflict zone between the military junta and the ethnic militias. Recently, the conflict has spread throughout the state, with airstrikes bombing many areas, forcing over 100,000 civilians to flee their homes and become internally displaced persons in Kachin state. You might go to a reliable place like a hospital or police station; meanwhile, villagers in Kachin State face increasingly dire situations, flocking to churches for shelter. ‘Three days ago, I gave birth to my child, and my body hadn’t fully recovered when suddenly there was a massive explosion. Soon, the entire village was engulfed in flames. To escape the

India Cyclone Michaung Relief

Last December, Cyclone Michaung wreaked havoc in India, causing widespread rainfall-induced disasters in the southern regions. The floods resulted in at least 25 deaths and extensive collapse and inundation of homes. A significant number of affected families had to be urgently evacuated from low-lying areas to safer locations, leaving their lives in disarray. In the severely affected Tamil Nadu state, torrential rain flooded multiple buildings, including government hospitals, railway stations, and residential homes. Numerous roads were damaged due to the floods. The strong winds caused many makeshift houses to collapse, forcing the residents to seek temporary shelter in tents. There is an urgent need for food support for these displaced individuals. Additionally, the floods submerged extensive farmlands, and

Winter Assistance to Syrians 2023-24

Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, millions of Syrian refugees have sought refuge in neighbouring Lebanon to escape the conflict, living a life of displacement and uncertainty. Unfortunately, Lebanon itself has been facing its worst economic crisis in a century, according to the World Bank. As a result, nearly four million people in Lebanon currently rely on humanitarian aid to survive. As the winter months from November to March approach, Lebanon will face severe weather conditions. The harsh winter weather, including blizzards, landslides, and flooding, poses a constant threat to Syrian refugees living in temporary tents or rough dwelling places. Additionally, in some parts of Lebanon, temperatures drop below freezing, making it even more

Afghanistan Earthquake Relief

Afghanistan, which has already been grappling with humanitarian and economic crises for many years, experienced a series of earthquakes in the city of Herat in western Afghanistan from 7 to 15 October. At least four of them were of magnitude six or above, making people’s lives even more difficult. Earlier in the news, it was announced that more than 2,000 people lost their lives and thousands were injured. According to the UN’s data as of 14 October, although the official casualty figures were adjusted downward, more than 1,300 people have still lost their lives, and over 1,800 people were injured. In addition, a partner of CEDAR informed us that about 1,320 houses have been completely destroyed, and about

Bringing Hope to Victims in Syria

Written by: Ken Wong (Communications Officer) On 2 February, Turkey and Syria were rocked by two major earthquakes and multiple aftershocks that killed more than 50,000 people and injured more than 120,000. According to WHO officials, Syria has already been in a deep humanitarian crisis for years due to war and cholera, and the country can in no way deal with the aftermath of earthquakes, whether in the near or mid-term. The earthquakes have wreaked havoc that far exceeded the damage caused by shelling during the civil war. Worse, earthquakes gave no warning. Despite the extreme challenges, towering fears and shattering fatigue, however, CEDAR partners have, by the grace of the Lord, done their utmost to provide for

Myanmar Cyclone Relief

Cyclone Mocha hit the coastlines of western Myanmar on 14 May. 150 lives were lost as it rampaged through the country. Rakhine state was devastated. More than 5.1 million people were struck by the disaster, many of whom are vulnerable groups, including internally displaced and undocumented persons. Homes, communication towers and road infrastructure were turned into wreckage. The water source was polluted because of the destruction of hundreds of wells and toilets. Many families were deprived of access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities. The residents of Rakhine are tormented by diarrhoea and infectious diseases. In recent years, the Burmese have been afflicted by the civil war. They have been living under threatened food supply and