Its time now to get involved in the 5th Birthday Action run by  Micah Challenge, as the 2010 Federal Elections draw nearer.

Micah Challenge wants to see a ‘Survive Past Five’ 5th Birthday Party held in every electorate before the 2010 Federal Election. This will show our leaders that communities around Australia want our Government to meet our commitment to the MDGs, to halve global poverty by 2015.

In 2008-9 Micah Challenge campaigned for child and maternal health- and saw an encouraging increase in aid spending towards meeting MDG 4 and 5

But last year, 8.8 million children still died before their 5th Birthday, most from easily preventable causes. For example, 22% of these children died from diarrhoea and 21% from pneumonia. So we want to make sure these issues stay on the minds of our leaders into 2010.

A 5th Birthday Party is a great way to engage your church, school or wider community, your local media, and your MP, to encourage our Government to do its fair share towards making sure that every child can survive to their 5th Birthday – and beyond. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the progress that has been made to reduce poverty, while also highlighting the urgent need to do more.

For more information on the Micah Challenge and how you could be involved click here.

ACC World Relief are calling for volunteer builders to help build houses for families who lost their homes in the September Tsunami.

The goal is to build all 400+ homes before the end of June 2010.

When: Places are available on teams which are departing from January 19th 2010 until June 1st. 
How long: Each team will spend a duration of 2 weeks. 
Cost: The cost is $1,000 plus airfare Australia-Auckland return.

The $1,000 cost is payable to ACC World Relief and covers: return airfare Auckland to Apia, Apia airport departure tax, all in-country transport including airport transfers and travel to building sites, food and water for 2-week stay, medical insurance with Chubb Medex, 3 x ACC World Relief T-shirts and basic accommodation (mattress and mosquito net).
Volunteers need to book their own return airfares Australia-Auckland or, if you like, ACC World Relief can do this for you.

Send Large Files Christmas Gifts

If you want to join an existing team, register a new team or go by yourself, contact the office on 1300 997 502 or (03) 9837 2277 or email info@accinternationalrelief.org

A brothel in South East Asia was shut down last week after enough evidence was gathered to organise a raid rescuing 11 girls, who were victims of trafficking and enslavement.

The raid, which was held in the middle of the night, led to the arrest of two owners and an agent who were involved in the trafficking and exploitation of the girls, including that of a 15 year old.

Two of the girls held were sisters, tricked into believing they would gain legal employment, but instead were immediately forced into prostitution on arrival in the destination country.

All girls are now receiving medical attention and will be repatriated back to their home country where our project partners can follow them up. 

ACC World Relief funds Houses of Hope in South East Asia, India, Sri Lanka and Africa where children and young women are at risk of trafficking, enslavement or abuse receive care, education and a chance to live full and free lives.

Due to recent intense fighting between the Sri Lankan government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) there are now 250,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Sri Lanka. These refugees are living in IDP camps with the most basic facilities, their only possessions the items they could carry as they fled to escape heavy bombing. Having virtually lost everything they are at risk of sickness, malnutrition, exposure and the mental and emotional stress that accompanies living in desperate conditions with limited resources. 

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As you can see ACC International Relief has launched its new look and website!

The changes occurring are exciting as we move forward to change our world through Community Development, Child Sponsorship, Disaster Relief & above all, the love of Jesus.

Jump on board and partner with ACC International Relief today!