“Disaster preparedness isn’t just about me—it’s about everyone in my family knowing what to do. This training has transformed how we approach emergencies, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with my community.”

Young Rohingya refugee and volunteer Hafezur is helping his community to stay safe and healthy through water testing, WASH facilities management and repairs.

E-cash transfers are giving women in host communities in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, the chance to start their own small businesses, and to have greater control over their finances.

In Timor-Leste, Disaster READY is working with local parishes to ensure communities are becoming more resilient and adaptive to the impacts of climate change.

Through the AHP response in Bangladesh, people living with disabilities in host communities and Rohingya camps have been supported with assistive devices to improve their quality of life through partner Christian Aid and DSK.

Local food is important for the resilience and health of Vanuatu families, especially as they have weathered the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. An innovative food festival in South Pentecost last year highlighted local cooking and preservation techniques, and communities are now planning for it to become an annual event.

When her village gained improved access to water with support from Disaster READY, Doroteia was able to become a businesswoman, selling her produce at market.

In Papua New Guinea’s Western Province, COVID-19 outbreaks have impacted the ability of rural communities to travel to town. Through the AHP COVID-19 response, new agricultural methods are supporting food security and resilience in hard-to-reach communities.

Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) NGOs have been supporting the COVID-19 response in Papua New Guinea (PNG) since the pandemic was declared in 2020, but are now focusing on supporting the vaccine roll-out and combatting mis-information. This field story looks at the work being undertaken by CAN DO and ABC International Development.

Drawing on the theory that a little ‘nudge’ can lead to big change, AHP partners in Bangladesh are supporting Rohingya women’s livelihoods and food security, and in the process, boosting their self-reliance.

In Fiji, the Ketesa community primarily earned their incomes through selling woodcarvings to hotels and local retail outlets. But the pandemic closed the doors on international tourism. Through partner CAN DO, AHP has supported new ways forward for the community.

Many communities and households in Tonga have to travel significant distances to access clean water. As part of the AHP COVID-19 response, water tanks are bringing supplies closer to home, improving hygiene and freeing up time.

Water scarcity was identified as key challenge for communities in Samoa wanting to keep safe from the COVID-19 pandemic. New water tanks and water harvesting systems are supporting clean, safe access.

In Vanuatu, CAN DO partners are working on a national media and community education campaign on including marginalised groups in disaster response and preparedness, supported by Disaster READY.

Students at San Isidro Care Centre in Northwest Guadalcanal are learning new livelihoods and food security skills through the AHP COVID-19 response in Solomon Islands.

Churches are a key part of community life in Tuvalu. As part of the Australian Humanitarian Partnership’s COVID-19 response, church leaders are being trained on providing psychological support to communities.

Disaster READY: PNG churches are supporting COVID-19 response efforts in Papua New Guinea.

The CAN DO network shares the important role played by Papua New Guinea churches is response to the 2018 Highlands Earthquake. With a presence in many of the affected communities, the churches came together and played a critical and central role in the earthquake response efforts - demonstrating the importance and value of localised humanitarian responses.

Two mothers explain the challenges they face in the aftermath of the September 18 earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi, Indonesia

In 2017, Caritas Australia received $350,000 through the AHP to assist in responding to the Ambae volcano crisis.