Crisis watch

Venezuela

Venezuela is experiencing what could be its worst crisis in recent history, with 2.3 million people having fled the country in search of safety and a better life. Around 1 million people have fled to neighbouring Colombia and more than 500,000 have sought refuge in Ecuador. Milangela, a single mother of two children aged 9 and 1, told us:

My children survived the long trip thanks to the charity of passers-by.

Alexandra Moncada, Country Director for CARE in Ecuador, said:

The lack of a regular migrant status results in Venezuelans, mainly youth, earning money informally. This increases the risk of exploitation and their connection to illicit trafficking and illegal armed groups at the borders.

In partnership with local organisations, we are providing food and nutrition services as well as critical health service referrals and psychosocial support. We aim to create safe spaces for affected groups, including women and girls who have survived violence and sexual abuse.

Lombok earthquake

One week after a devastating earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Lombok, thousands remain homeless and in fear as aftershocks continue. CARE is working through our local partner Kopernik, who operate in Lombok, to deliver clean water, hygiene and sanitation supplies, shelter kits and other basic items.

Shelter kits contain a tarpaulin, a sleeping mat, two blankets, two sarongs, one hammer, one saw, one sledge hammer , one solar light , one crowbar, a shovel and hoe for when people can return to their farms.

Ibu Wingkan, a mother of two young girls from Sembalun Bumbung village, is sleeping with nine other families in a single crowded tent, after her home was totally destroyed. She said:

We have lost our income, our home and the children’s school is destroyed. I am so afraid and don’t know how we will manage.

CARE will also conduct a gender assessment to ensure response efforts best meet the needs of women, girls, men and boys.

Niger

CARE is assisting people affected by flooding from heavy rains in Zinder, Maradi, Diffa and Niamey regions. Urgent water and sanitation assistance is needed to prevent the risk of water-borne disease, especially cholera in the Maradi region where 944 cases and 13 deaths have been confirmed. CARE has donated medicines and household kits to Harounawa health centre in Madarounfa (Maradi region), and we will be distributing aqua tabs in the region.

Democratic Republic of Congo

CARE has set aside emergency response funds to scale up our response to the Ebola outbreak. Our teams will be focusing on the prevention of the spread of the Ebola virus. Tom Friedeberg, CARE's Country Director in DRC, said:

CARE works in Mufwanga, close to the affected area. We are currently assessing existing health facilities to identify their needs and quickly start responding. We need to do everything we can to stop the expansion of the virus.

In addition, CARE’s team in DRC is planning to distribute hygiene items, such as aqua tabs, soap and other sanitation goods including self-protection equipment, to people living in the Beni territory.

Read more in our press release

Indonesia - Lombok

A CARE emergency team is ready to respond after a powerful earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Lombok. Umar, who previously worked for CARE Indonesia for 18 years, reports from Mataram, the capital of Lombok: 

This earthquake was much stronger than the last one. It was out of the ordinary. We were very afraid and all ran outside, where we also slept. Many people are still sleeping in the open.

Rescuers are still trying to reach some hard-hit areas to conduct loss and damage assessments. CARE Indonesia, which was one of the first emergency responders after the South Asian tsunami in 2004, is monitoring the situation and is ready to respond if international assistance is needed.

Read more in our press release