Previous responses
| ACFID member agencies respond to many emergencies, fostering efficient coordination processes among the NGO sector, international partners and the Australian Government. Australian NGOs have participated in assistance responses coordinated through international partners and local programs. | ||
PakistanReports indicated that three million people were displaced by the conflict in Pakistan's northern district in mid-2009 making this emergency the largest movement of people since Rwanda in 1994. The fighting between Pakistani government forces and armed groups resulted in millions of internally displaced civilians. The UNHCR noted that this was 'the largest and swiftest' displacement to take place anywhere in the world in recent years. (Conflicting figures were been reported nationally and internationally. The above figures were shared by the NWFP Government and UNHCR).Sri LankaThe decades-long conflict between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ended in mid-May 2009. The conflict claimed over 70,000 lives. Of utmost importance was the welfare of approximately 280,000 civilians residing in government displacement camps in the north of Sri Lanka who relyied on assistance from humanitarian organisations. Australian agencies provided much-needed assistance and were on standby to scale up efforts once the Sri Lankan Government eased restrictions on humanitarian agency access to the camps. | ||
Humanitarian crisis in GazaThe fragile ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hamas following the 27 December 2008 to 18 January conflict enabled an increase in humanitarian aid distribution to the people of Gaza. Urgent assistance for medical supplies, food, shelter and clean water was needed. The ceasefire exposed the massive devastation caused by the conflict. The three weeks of violence claimed over 1,300 lives, 412 of them children, and wounded more than 5,300 as well as causing widespread destruction to infrastructure and suffering. Two humanitarian aid workers affiliated with Australian NGO partners were killed in the fighting. | ||
China earthquakeOn 12 May 2008 Sichuan province in China was rocked by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake. The devastating quake left thousands dead and many others injured or buried beneath the rubble. The quake caused widespread damage to communication, transport and building infrastructure. Initial rescue efforts were hindered by damage to infrastructure and heavy rain. The quake also caused concern over the stability of dams and infrastructure in the affected mountainous area, and landslides blocked a main river that flows to the region.Image: China soldiers evacuate Beichuan, 13 May 2008 (Photo courtesy of Reuters AlertNet) |  | |
Cyclone Nargis, BurmaCyclone Nargis struck Burma's coastline on 2-3 May 2008 and authorities declared five states and divisions (Yangon, Ay, Bago, Mon and Kayin) to be disaster areas. Thousands died and hundreds of thousands were displaced and made homeless, particularly in the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) delta region. The combined total population of the declared disaster areas is around 24 million. Roughly 6 million live in Yangon and a significant population is spread across the delta region. Initial efforts to carry out a comprehensive assessment were hindered by the lack of communications and blocked roads.Image: Strong wind and heavy rain as Cyclone Nargis hits Yangon, 3 May 2008 (Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Stringer) |  | |
Java landslidesIn December 2007, floods in Indonesia were the worst seen in Central and East Java since the mid 1990s. Landslides and floods burst the banks of the Bengawan Solo River which resulted in the deaths of 127 people and affected over 500,000 residents. The flooding destroyed many homes and crops. | ||
Kenya political unrestPolitical unrest in Kenya following presidential elections that took place on 27 December 2007 left 500 people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced. The wave of violence arising from post-election riots stunted existing Australian aid projects and restricted access for aid efforts to respond. Australian aid agencies assisted the Kenya Red Cross along with other partners to provide financial assistance, non-food items, food, safe drinking water and medical supplies. | ||
Southern Africa floodsHeavy rains in Southern Africa in December 2007 caused widespread flooding in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. In Mozambique, up to 55,000 people were affected by the flooding of the main river basins. Reports confirmed Zambia experienced damage to crops in the south and south west of the country, and up to 1,400 households lost homes and livestock in Malawi. | ||
Arc of Africa floodsDrought-stricken regions in sub-Saharan Africa experienced unprecedented downpours of rain in mid 2007. The worst floods in three decades affected 22 countries and an estimated 1.5 million people. The most severe flooding struck Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Sudan, Togo and Uganda. Initial estimates were that over a million people were in need of urgent assistance. Assessments of the emergency situation indicated concerns of a humanitarian crisis. | ||
Bangladesh cycloneCyclone Sidr, which struck Bangladesh on 15 November 2007, had a catastrophic impact despite early warning systems and shelters saving an estimated 100,000 lives. The resultant floods affected around 3 million people with approximately 2000 people killed and a similar number reported missing. Fifteen districts were seriously affected with extensive damage to housing and agriculture. The damage to road and telecommunication infrastructure meant that many areas were inaccessible and the full extent of the damage was difficult to determine.Image: Survivors of Cyclone Sidr gather outside their makeshift camp on the bank of river Baleshar in Sarankhola, November 20, 2007 (Photo courtesy of Reuters/Rafiqur Rahman (Bangladesh)) |  | |
Papua New Guinea floodsDays of heavy rain following Cyclone Guba in November 2007 caused severe flooding in Papua New Guinea. The floods washed away hundreds of homes, road infrastructure and crops. The PNG government declared a state of emergency and early reports estimated 113,000 people had been affected by the floods. The death toll was over 70 with many more people reported to be missing in the isolated communities along the coast and in the mountainous areas. The provision of aid assistance proved to be a logistical challenge with limited access to the most affected communities such as Oro Province and Milne Bay.Image: Floodwaters destroyed a main bridge in Oro province (Photo courtesty of OxfamAUS) |  | |
DarfurSince 2003, there has been ongoing violence in the Darfur region of western Sudan. Fighting involving government forces, government-backed 'janjaweed' militia and a number of rebel groups has resulted in widespread devastation, the deaths of an estimated 400,000 people and the displacement of over 2 million people. The conflict has exacerbated an already severe humanitarian situation brought about by drought, desertification and overpopulation. According to the United Nations and many other observers, Darfur is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today, with many of those displaced having limited or no access to international assistance.Image: New arrivals in Gereida camp, South Darfur (Photo courtesy of Oxfam Australia) |  | |
South Asia floodsThe 2007 annual monsoon season caused severe flooding in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, China and Pakistan, resulting in over 400 deaths, and displacing millions of people. Australian NGOs responded to the affected countries through local partners, and provided food, shelter and other household items, water and sanitation systems, and psychosocial support for children and other support services.Image: Residents walk on bamboo poles to get to their home in the flooded village of Raotgaon at Lauhajang, 70km (44 miles) from the capital Dhaka, August 6, 2007 (Photo courtesy of Reuters/Rafiqur Rahman) |  | |
Solomon Islands tsunamiOn 2 April 2007, a large earthquake measuring at least 8.0 on the Richter Scale, and a tsunami, hit Western and Choiseul Provinces in the Solomon Islands. Gizo, and surrounding islands were severely affected with many buildings flooded and destroyed. Water supply was affected, and transport hampered by the destruction of the airstrip and local wharves. Fifty-two people were confirmed dead and thousands left homeless. Australian NGOs worked with the Solomon Islands Government in the relief effort. | ||
Jakarta floodsHeavy rain from late January 2007 triggered flooding in Jakarta, inundated thousands of houses and other buildings, including about 1,500 schools, and displaced some 340,000 people. At least 50 people were killed, and roads, safe water, telephone lines and electricity were inaccessible to many of the city's residents. Districts surrounding Jakarta — including Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi — were also seriously affected.Image: Trucks belonging to a state-owned oil and gas company line up to fill their tanks at a flooded fuel terminal in Jakarta February 7, 2007 (Photo courtesy Reuters/Crack Palinggi) |  | |
2006 Horn of Africa food crisisAn acute shortage of food is affecting Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia. Millions of people are regularly affected by severe droughts, the effects of which are exacerbated by military conflicts in the region. A number of ACFID members continue to provide ongoing support in the region.Food crises in Africa: an overview (Oxfam International) (  268kb) | ||
Lebanon conflictFollowing the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in July and August 2006, a number of ACFID members are continuing to deliver food, medical supplies and other essential services to the hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced people. | ||
Java earthquakeAn earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale shook the Yogyakarta area on 27 May 2006. The centre of the quake was under the seabed south of Java. Over 4,500 people were killed, and 80% of homes in the area have been flattened. | ||
East Timor tensionsFollowing civil strife in April and May 2006, an estimated 150,000 Timorese people were displaced, a large proportion of whom were women and children. A number of ACFID members are still conducting operations to assist those people who remain displaced, in areas including shelter, water and sanitation, food and medical assistance. | ||
Philippine landslideA series of mudslides on February 17, 2006 caused widespread damage and loss of life in the Philippine province of Southern Leyte. | ||
Pakistan earthquakeOn 8 October 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale struck South Asia. The epicentre was 95 kilometres northeast of Islamabad Pakistan, and parts of Northern Pakistan, India and Afghanistan were devastated. The quake killed more the 73,000 people in Pakistan and 1,300 in India. Australian agencies continue to provide support to the reconstruction of these areas. | ||
Indian Ocean TsunamiOn 26 December 2004, an earthquake measuring 9.15 on the Richter Scale triggered giant waves which claimed over 230,000 lives and left millions of people homeless in ten countries. The tsunami not only destroyed large areas of land and millions of homes, but also destroyed the livelihoods and hopes of the millions of survivors.For information on the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, including total revenue raised, ACFID accountability reports and evaluations, and other useful links visit ACFID — Indian Ocean Tsunami. | ||
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