Leading by example: inclusion in disaster preparedness
Through the Australian Government’s Disaster READY program, communities on Vanuatu’s Mavea Island are leading their own disaster preparedness, with local committee chairperson Peter using his lived experience as person with disability to turn training into practical action. His committee has shared disaster awareness messages with schoolchildren and prioritised upgrades to solar-powered water systems to improve access to clean water during droughts and after disasters.
Bringing water, dignity, and opportunity to Oe-Cusse
In Oe-Cusse, Timor-Leste, a community-led initiative supported through Disaster READY has brought water closer to home for 22 households, freeing up time previously spent on long journeys to collect it. Families are now growing vegetables, protecting water sources and managing their shared supply, helping them prepare for drought and other climate-related challenges.
Building a future together: Remona’s story of leadership and hope in Tanna
On Vanuatu’s Tanna Island, training delivered by CARE through the Disaster READY program has helped Remona and her community identify local resources and practical ways to earn an income and a safe place to gather when disasters strike.
Rebuilding stronger after typhoons in Viet Nam
When typhoons Matmo, Bualoi, and Kalmaegi brought storms and flooding to communities in Thai Nguyen and Da Nang, thousands of families faced damaged homes, disrupted livelihoods, and unsafe water. Over six months, and with support from the Australian Government, Oxfam and local partners worked across 11 communities to help people recover while strengthening local preparedness for future disasters.
Agile and adaptive support for communities in northern Viet Nam
People experiencing the same disaster can be impacted in very different ways. Plan International’s AHP response to Typhoons Bualoi and Matmo in northern Viet Nam show how localise and targeted responses can meet different needs in neighbouring communities.
Disaster preparedness starts at home
In Fiji, Oxfam’s Disaster READY partner is strengthening women’s role in preparedness through integrated training in community-based disaster risk management.
When the warning comes before the flood: How communities in PNG turned early action into protection
In PNG, CARE International has used AHP Anticipatory Action initiatives as a way to protect communities, by bringing together weather forecasts and locally agreed trigger points to activate preparedness measures before the worst impacts occur.
WARA Strengthening Community Disaster Resilience through Women’s Savings Groups
In Solomon Islands, Oxfam’s Disaster READY partner, WARA has helped women to combine traditional knowledge, community-based disaster risk management, and financial preparedness, to help mitigate the impacts of disasters and climate change on their communities.
Australia delivers emergency support to remote communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila
In PNG, AHP has enabled rapid support to be mobilised through trusted local networks, helping ensure assistance is delivered quickly, safely and in line with community priorities. Plan International has been responding in coordination with the Autonomous Bougainville Government, through their established Emergency Command Centres in North, Central and South Bougainville, local leaders, community representatives, the Australian Government, and other humanitarian actors.
Small support, renewed hope
“Never before had the water risen so quickly. We couldn’t keep up. Watching everything get ruined was heartbreaking.” With support from the Australian Government, Save the Children helped families move on from last year’s floods in Vietnam with cash and voucher assistance.
Flood Evacuation Simulation Empowers Fatudere Community
As climate change brings increasingly unpredictable weather patterns to Timor-Leste, communities like Fatudere are taking their safety into their own hands. With continued support from the Disaster READY via CARE and the local government, they stand ready to face whatever challenges come their way.
Restoring what was lost: Mangrove decline and community-led recovery on Ughi Island
Through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership and World Vision, resilience-building and climate change adaptation programs have supported Mr Hamilton’s community to adapt and protect vital natural ecosystems.
A ‘well-deserved’ improvement: Supporting PNG communities to access clean water
With support from the AHP El-Nino response fund, provided by the Australian Government to impacted communities, coastal regions in PNG’s Central Province now have ongoing access to clean water.
Working towards a brighter future while improving the camps of Cox’s Bazar
When Laila began working on infrastructure-related activities in her camp, such as the construction and repair of slope stabilisers, pathways, and stairs, she gained new skills and confidence, and was better able to meet her family’s basic needs.
Beyond the garden bed: Cultivating resilience in Timor-Leste
Disaster READY training helped Guilermina and friends transform some abandoned land into productive gardens. By mastering soil management and irrigation, these farmers aren't just growing vegetables—they’re growing economic security in the heart of Bobonaro.
From uncertain adolescent to youth leader: Toha’s story
Toha built his skills and confidence through AHP-supported programs for Rohingya adolescents in his camp in Cox’s Bazar. Now he is a teacher at an AHP-supported learning centre, encouraging and educating children to access their rights.
Finding a place for Somir in the classroom
Samir’s family were worried when a Save the Children Rohingya teaching volunteer teacher suggested their son with Down syndrome come to the local learning centre. But inclusive education approaches have built Samir’s confidence and skills.
She made it happen: How one woman project-managed her own cyclone-safe home
“My favourite part about all this is learning about management. I learned how to manage money, how to build a house, how to mix and cook a cement block, and I’m just so grateful for this life-changing workshop.” Read how women like Lenny are learning new skills and protecting their families from disasters in Vanuatu.
More than a name: Junior’s rise to senior facilitator
In the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, PNG, Junior has gone from a participant of Disaster Risk Reduction training to a workshop facilitator, supporting youth with skills and knowledge on food processing.
Stitching together a stable future through the beauty of handicrafts
After a series of hard knocks to her family’s financial stability, training in handicrafts through the AHP response in Bangladesh has supported Kulsuma to turn things around, while injecting beauty and colour into her community.