"Our ancestors didn't even understand the food preservation methods… Now, my children and I won't be hungry when the dry season comes; we still have our flour to eat." Read how Disaster READY is enhancing food security and providing an income for women in PNG.

Support to establish a kitchen garden through AHP partners has helped 19-year-old Rohingya refugee Rajia boost her family’s nutrition and earnings. She has become known as a ‘green queen’ in her neighbourhood, inspiring other girls to start businesses.

19-year-old Tasmin took a chance for climate smart agricultural training supported by AHP and has turned it into a diverse set of small businesses that are now supporting her whole family. With earnings from her garden, Tasnim bought a goat, a sewing machine, and has even leased land to expand her cultivation. She hopes she can inspire other girls with her entrepreneurial efforts.

Before Disaster READY partners installed a clean water system, Julieta and her community had had enough: “It made us tired and discouraged. We couldn’t continue growing crops during the dry season, and that affected our family’s economy.”

In PNG, Disaster READY partners are helping communities to think differently about crop harvesting and storing, by exploring techniques that mean food is available through the leaner months.

Disaster READY both facilitates and relies on excellent working relationships throughout its network of partners. In Solomon Islands, partners are looking to each other to run trainings that tap into local knowledge to support communities to prepare for disasters.

Families impacted by drought in Ethiopia are receiving multi-purpose cash grants as part of an integrated livelihood response from Save the Children, supported by the Australian Humanitarian Partnership.

After training on home gardening techniques, Madushika is now growing healthy, nutritious food for her young family, and generating income.

For 20-year-old Farzana, who has a vision disability, learning how to grow produce in a home garden with her mother has opened new pathways for acceptance and financial security.

Maryam, Zahra and their families are among hundreds of thousands of people in Ethiopia who have been forced to flee their homes because of conflict, drought and a lack of food. The AHP response is supporting emergency food rations.

In Papua New Guinea, Disaster READY’s Climate Change Adaptation programs are increasing women’s economic empowerment, tackling food insecurity, and providing and income to support children’s education.

Chandana is a farmer, clay brick producer, and carer for his elderly parents. He is also disabled. Through the AHP response in Sri Lanka, he has been able to increase his yield of quality produce, while also changing community attitudes on disabilities.

Women-led community kitchens are providing a safe and supportive environment for women affected by Tropical Cyclone Lola to not only cook and share meals, but to talk about their needs and organise.

Kenya is experiencing its worst drought in more than 40 years. With support through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP), Oxfam has been able to deliver multi-purpose cash transfers and drought-resilient crops, including sorghum, to some of the hardest hit communities.

With three out of five family members needing medical care, Niranjana became her family’s main breadwinner. Via support from the AHP activation in Sri Lanka, she is hopeful a maize crop grown with subsidised seed will set her family on a path to financial sustainability.

Preschool meals supported through the AHP response in Sri Lanka are helping kids like Chamod to thrive, while reducing financial pressure on parents.

Through the AHP COVID-19 response in Solomon Islands, community nurseries and agricultural training are helping families get more from their home gardens, reducing their food expenses and supporting livelihoods.

In Timor-Leste, Disaster READY Partners are supporting small scale farmers like Marilia to improve farming techniques while also mitigating against disaster.

The COVID-19 pandemic made it tougher for Florence’s community in Solomon Islands to access seeds and agricultural materials. But with support from AHP, young people in the community have banded together to support food security for all.

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.