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.

Agustinho’s community learnt that true resilience is built by working together. “When we build gabions, we protect our farms,” he said. “When we conserve water and plant trees, we protect our future. This project has brought real change. We are no longer afraid of the floods. We have water to drink, trees to protect our soil, and savings to support our families. All we need now is to keep working together.”

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.