Margareta Arasio is a champion of good sanitation practices and hygiene in her community: and she is passionate about it. After learning about community-led total sanitation through the AHP response in Kenya, and seeing the difference it has made to child health, she is encouraging other villages to get on board.

Through the construction of capture holes and permanent cisterns, Disaster READY teams are supporting communities in Timor-Leste to strengthened their resilience against water scarcity. The initiative has improved access to water for farming and income generation, enhanced school hygiene (WASH), and supported consistent food supplies for student nutrition.

In October-November 2024, the Philippines endured a wave of destruction as the country was hit by six cyclones within 30 days. A year later, communities are recovering thanks to the AHP response.

Fatema’s daughter had been facing constant stomach problems. But a visit from an AHP-supported NGO reminded her of the importance of handwashing. The simple change to the family’s routines improved everyone’s health.

Since Pastor John arrived in his community six years ago, he has witnessed eight deaths from people drinking contaminated water. John worked quickly to mobilise his community, reaching out to Disaster READY parter, Baptist Union, for support.

Dignity kits filled with essential hygiene supplies are helping adolescent girls in conflict-affected areas of Ethiopia to continue their education with confidence.

Before Disaster READY partners built a water tank close to her village, Margarida and others from her community would walk two hours each day to collect water.

Period poverty remains a significant issue in Lebanon, exacerbated by the deteriorating economic situation, which has led to a drastic increase in the prices of menstrual hygiene products.

Noor and Roshida struggled to get enough water from a distant well for their seven children to stay clean and healthy. Now, an accessible tap stand at their home in Cox’s Bazar is improving their quality of life.

After Tropical Cyclone Lola struck Vanuatu, women mobilised to compile and distribute dignity kits to other women, including those with disabilities, in affected communities.

When Kiribati entered into a drought emergency in 2022, the Australian Humanitarian Partnership was activated. Now, solar water distillation units are improving child and community health in the capital, and on remote islands.

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

In Kiribati, the pressures of climate change and an extended drought have left communities struggling to access enough clean drinking water. By harnessing the power of the sun, new distillation units are giving families peace of mind.

When Shabera’s mother and sister passed away, she was left without family — and without a caregiver to assist her with daily needs. With the support of a community volunteer, Shabera has been able to advocate for an accessible toilet facility at her home.

In Tonga, coastal communities impacted by last year’s volcanic eruption and tsunami were struggling to access enough clean water. Through the AHP response, water tanks are now helping households to recover.

PNG churches have been an integral part of the AHP COVID-19 response in Papua New Guinea, working alongside community leaders to share information and resources, and to improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities.

Through the AHP COVID-19 response in Papua New Guinea, one remote Bougainville primary school now has a toilet and handwashing facilities on site, improving life for both students and teachers.

In Timor-Leste, the lack of clean water in schools puts children at risk. This is further exacerbated for kids living in disaster-prone communities. Disaster READY’s Disaster Management Committees are driving locally-led solutions to help keep these children safe.

Floods in Timor-Leste in April 2021 damaged water infrastructure, leaving communities without nearby access to clean water. Through the AHP response, World Vision supported the construction of new water tanks and piping to restore access.

In Cox’s Bazar, few Rohingya living with disabilities have accessible latrines in their homes or communities. Work by AHP partners is supporting better access to WASH in the camps for all. For 13-year-old Fatema and her mother, an accessible latrine has improved their quality of life.