Support Needed as Devastation Increases

Aid and assistance is becoming more urgent as communities continue to suffer from the worst flooding in Pakistan’s history. Without shelter, clean water or enough food, they face a serious risk of disease and an uncertain future, as floodwaters continue to erase homes and livelihoods.

As the disaster escalates, the Prime Minister of Pakistan has appealed for assistance.

“Millions of people have suffered and still there is more rain and further losses are feared. I appeal to the world to help us. We are doing what we can. The government has done everything possible but it is beyond our capacity – we are facing an extremely difficult situation.”

The United Nations (UN) has reported 14 million people seriously affected by the disaster, with the official death toll already reaching 1,600. The floods are continuing to sweep south resulting in mass evacuations. An estimated 6 million people are in need of food, and 4 million people are without shelter.

ACC International Relief field workers are based in the region of Punjab; one of the worst affected areas of the nation. Some areas nearby are submerged under two meters of water and thousands of villages have been ordered to evacuate as flood waters keep rising.

Displaced families are in desperate need of support and shelter. The death toll is expected to increase with the threat of further flooding, the spread of disease, lack of food and clean drinking water along with other complications that follow a large scale natural disaster.

John and Anne Iqbal, originally from Queensland, have been working in Pakistan since 1998. As part of ACC International Relief they have facilitated aid and community development for many years, and managed relief teams during the 2005 earthquake, delivering food and other support to victims. They are now ready to scale up assistance for the current floods, providing drinking water and food parcels with flour, rice, cooking oil, lentils and other items.

John and Anne have access to local teams within the Pakistan Assemblies of God network. These teams will be activated to purchase the necessary food items and transport them to the areas most in need throughout the Punjab and Sindh provinces. In addition to delivering material goods, the teams will provide counselling and emotional support to the flood victims, many of whom are suffering from significant trauma.

ACC International Relief is ready to receive donations now. Support will enable efficient and effective delivery of food, clean drinking water and other necessities to Pakistan’s flood victims.

All donations received for the flood victims will be tax deductible and can be sent to the ACC International Relief operation centre in Melbourne.

Watch Now

Photos from Chile’s recent natural disaster. When an 8.8 magnitude quake struck the South American Coast, it triggered a deadly tsunami which caused severe destruction among Chile.

People are living in tents and other temporary homes, some go to broken street pipes to wash their clothes.

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A month has past since the massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake shook the South American country of Chile, killing a total of 452 people.

The quake, which struck off the coast of capital city Santiago on February 27 triggered a deadly tsunami leaving two million homeless. It is estimated that more than 500,000 homes have been destroyed, and severe damage has also occurred to buildings, schools and hospitals.

Teams from ACCIR project partner Convoy of Hope, were sent out immediately to assess the damage and distribute food, water purification and other emergency supplies.

“There has been distributions of emergency food along with several Sawyer Water Filters in some of the hardest-hit areas,” says Kary Kingsland, vice president of disaster response for projects partner’s Convoy of Hope. “As with all major disasters the needs will be ongoing. Our team is developing a plan to help meet short and long-term needs.”

ACC International Relief’s Chile earthquake appeal was launched on March 4, and is still open for donations. We wish to thank our supporters and donors who have already given generously to this appeal.

Get involved with ACC International Relief in 2010 and join a Disaster Response team!

ACCIR are seeking skilled volunteers who have a passion to serve and are willing to help those affected, by rebuilding communities after disaster.

Volunteers will participate in national training, so when disaster strikes, we can respond immediately and effectively.

We are looking for people with skills from building to nursing. For more information on how you could be apart of a team or for general enquiries on what team you could join, fill out this form with your details and our staff will contact you.

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A Samoan lady clutches her child, as she is one among many who have lost their home.

According to the Red Cross it is estimated that 3,200 people were left homeless after the earthquake in Samoa September last year.

Since the 8.3 magnitude quake devestated coastal villages, building teams consisting of ACC International Relief volunteers have been helping rebuild both lives and homes in affected communities.

Funds from the Samoa Tsunami Appeal, raised through the generosity of donors have gone into the construction and rebuilding of houses that will withstand future adverse weather conditions.

‘About 400 homes are to be completed by the end of July’, says Karyn Ey, disaster response coordinator for ACCIR. “ACC volunteers are loving the whole experience of getting to know the people… They are working with the families, teaching them how to build, not just going in there to fix the problem.”

“The work of ACCIR and project partners Habitat for Humanity has definitely impacted the communities, although they [communities] are still rebuilding their lives, emotionally, spiritually and physically.”

“They are still dealing with fear, concern and grief of what was known to them as the worst natural disaster.”

Openings for individuals and groups to join a building team are currently still available, for more information or to enquire about joining a team please fill out the details below.

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Fiji declared a state of emergency, with lives lost and up to 17,000 people evacuated from their homes. The homeless are being accommodated in 240 evacuation centres. Winds up to 230 km and waves 8-10 metres have been reported. The Australian Government will provide up to $1 million to Fiji’s National Disaster Management Office to help pay for transporting aid and relief. The numbers of people lost and the full extent of damage won’t be known until communications have been restored.

ACC International Relief will be partnering with AOG Fiji in providing aid and relief to affected communities. Tarpaulins, water purification tablets, containers, food and medical supplies will definitely be needed.

How Can I Help?

Make a Donation:
Funds are sent directly to our partner project which is assisting families and communities in Fiji.

We are ready to receive donations now. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Please specify you are giving to the Fiji Appeal and provide an email or postal address for receipts.

The 8.8-magnitude quake killed 795 people, according to the latest toll, and left two million of Chile’s 16 million population homeless. The earthquake was the seventh most powerful on record, and struck central Chile some 325 kilometers south of the capital Santiago and 115 kilometers north-northeast of the second city of Concepcion. About 20 minutes afterwards a tsunami in the form of three 6 metre plus waves devastated coastal towns.

ACC World Relief’s Response

ACC World Relief’s project partner, Convoy of Hope, is already on the ground working alongside local churches in providing help and supplies to those most in need. Another team is on their way bringing 40 water systems that collectively have a maximum daily capacity of providing over 70,000 litres of clean drinking water. Tents, blankets and food will also be provided.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and partnership in helping children, women and men tragically affected by the earthquake in Chile. Please pray that wisdom be given to decision-makers, comfort and peace to those who have lost loved ones and courage to those helping on the ground in the face of devastation and turmoil.

We also thank those of you who have participated in the recent Haiti Appeal. The good news is that because of your giving $168,000 has been donated to the efforts on the ground in Haiti. See our website for further reports.

HelpKids Children- Saving children from prostitution and abuse

According to Human Rights Watch 20,000 children are engaged in prostitution in Sri Lanka today. Child prostitution is a serious and growing concern within Sri Lanka, with poor children posing as vulnerable targets.

The country’s pedophile tourism industry attracts thousands of foreigners each year and contributes substantially to the amount of young boys at risk, who unfortunately make up 70% of exploited children.

The HelpKids Centre, a program dedicated to helping these children of Sri Lanka, has been successfully working for 3 years among high risk communities.

Through the current work of the program supported by child sponsors and other donors, HelpKids have flourished, providing rehabilitation and support, community awareness and education to children and their communities.

Around 2000 men, women and children in the communities are benefitingfrom the successful work of the HelpKids centre.

Integration of abused children into the local school system has improved and it is evident that cases of abuse in the community have dropped, according to local police and government agents.

HelpKids works to provide professional counseling, workshops, education opportunities, vocational training, risk awareness training and prevention work, to children, families and the greater community in order to effectively reduce child abuse and prevent it from happening into the future.

We wish to thank all donors and child sponsors who support the work of HelpKids.

Today, there are over 300,000 children living on the street in Mumbai

His vision began when he saw footage of a child living on the streets drinking dog’s milk to survive. Biju Thampy, director of Vision Rescue began feeding children in the city of Mumbia, India back in 2004 at Mahim station.

Today there are over 300,000 children living in the streets of Mumbai. Most are without homes or carers and are highly vulnerable to traffickers who trap the children into begging rings, criminal activities and even prostitution – many also become addicted to drugs and alcohol by the age of 8.

Starting with only 6 children, Vision Rescue has grown to well over 1000 children, providing them with food and non-formal education. The program has reaped great success with between 100-200 children graduating to formal education or vocational training each year.

Biju Thampy’s aim is to reach every child on the streets of Mumbai and through the success of Vision Rescue more than 1000 children now appear healthier and are less prevalent to sickness than when his work began.

The program provides children with the necessities to stay alive and healthy, help in the prevention of the dangers in the street and the ability to go further in life with an education which sustains them to a point of future employment and a life away from the streets.

We wish to thank all donors and child sponsors who support the work and vision of Vision Rescue.

Locals unload relief in Ratanakiri province

Cambodia- Conditions After Ketsana

On 30th September last year thousands were affected by the mass flooding
in Ratanakiri province of northern Cambodia after typhoon Ketsana swept through neighboring countries.

In neighboring country Vietnam, rivers rose up to 12 meters causing mass destruction of homes and crops. These caused floods downstream to flow into Cambodia wiping out farms.

ACC World Relief were able to provide immediate aid to families affected by the disaster. The distribution of mosquito nets, tarps, food stuffs, hygiene and cooking essentials reduced the risk of sickness, malaria and exposure for over 200 families.

“After-affects of typhoon Ketsana are still going to be felt across Ratanakiri province for some time,” says Project Manager Sarah Ardu.

One of the major issues within the affected communities has been loss of food security due to the desolation of over 6000 hectares of crops.

Relief efforts have also gone into supplying families with seeds to plant new crops, allowing families to have food beyond the emergency handouts.

“It is taking longer than expected to get flood affected villagers to adopt new crop strategies to make up for their lost rice crops, but we are still confident that by supplying watering cans, seeds and training, their new crops will be successful.”

We wish to thank all those generous donors who supported and gave to the Philippines Emergency Relief Appeal, helping victims affected by typhoon Ketsana.