Emergencies: our programs provide urgent relief

Natural disasters and extreme poverty

Natural disasters can cause widespread devastation to communities already dealing with the challenges of extreme poverty. People who live in communities with poor infrastructure and inadequate health care are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. Between 1998-2018, 91% of storm-related fatalities were recorded in low- or middle-income countries.  

In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, people without access to clean water may risk contracting waterborne diseases. Mass hospitalisations can also put enormous strain on a country’s health system, leaving vulnerable communities without access to essential health care.  

Extreme weather events increasing 

“Listen to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor, who suffer most because of the unbalanced ecology”- Pope Francis 

Extreme weather events and climate emergencies have increased in frequency, intensity and severity over the past two decades, hitting vulnerable communities disproportionately hard, according to the United Nations. 

Environmental changes affect everyone – but for vulnerable, marginalised communities, the impact of natural disasters can drive communities further into poverty. In low-lying communities, rising sea levels are threatening to submerge entire villages, forcing people to relocate. Destructive cyclones, floods and earthquakes are devastating countries in Asia and the Pacific. Prolonged droughts, exacerbated by environmental changes, have led to food shortages in many parts of Africa.  

Through our Catholic EarthCare Australia program, we seek to amplify the voices of communities whose lives have been directly impacted by climate emergencies.  

Droughts can increase food insecurity

Some emergencies are not as spontaneous as an earthquake or a typhoon, but the effects are just as devastating.

Internal conflict and extreme weather events on the African continent have affected millions of people. Since 2018, a chronic drought has affected the southern part of Africa, with countries such as Zimbabwe facing severe food shortages. An estimated 7.7 million people – almost half of Zimbabwe’s population – experienced food insecurity in 2020.

Long-term drought has destroyed the crops of many rural farming communities that rely on agricultural production for food, nutrition and income. This also impacts children and women, who may need to walk longer distances to collect water and food for their families.

COVID-19: a global health emergency  

Since 2020, the world has been dealing with an unprecedented health emergency, the COVID-19 pandemic. As with natural disasters, early action and preventative measures are crucial to minimise the impact of COVID-19 and avoid catastrophic loss of life.  

A shortage of face masks and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in vulnerable communities means that local communities, including frontline workers are at risk of contracting the virus. Health care systems have been overwhelmed, as hospitals struggle to keep up with the exponential rise in cases.  

The risk of local transmission also increases in the aftermath of a natural disaster. In Timor-Leste, flash flooding forced many residents in the capital, Dili – which was under a COVID-19 lockdown – to seek shelter in crowded evacuation centres.  

COVID-19 compounds the existing social, economic and health challenges experienced by communities living in poverty. The pandemic is expected to push another 40-60 million people into extreme poverty. Ongoing support and long-term development work are essential to help vulnerable communities to get through this pandemic and rebuild their economy and livelihoods. 

Building resilience through Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) 

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is one of the ways to strengthen resilience in communities so they are better prepared for future emergencies. 

DRR activities include improving infrastructure, planting drought and salt-resistant crops, providing seed banks and disaster planning. We support projects led by our local community partner organisations on the ground, who can use their knowledge of their local environment to assist in their planning. By improving community preparedness, we can help minimise the loss of lives and infrastructure when a disaster strikes. 

In Cambodia, the Upholding Community Dignity Together program, which Caritas Australia implements with eight local NGO partner organisations, helps communities to manage the effects of drought and extreme weather events. The program empowers participants with sustainable farming skills and irrigation techniques so that they can maintain their crops throughout the year.