Crisis watch

Uganda

One of the biggest biometric verification processes ever undertaken has confirmed that Uganda is hosting 1.1 million refugees, by far the largest number in Africa and the third largest worldwide. CARE Uganda is one of the leading responders, but more funding is required for the humanitarian response overall.

• Read more in this NGO joint statement: exercise confirms Uganda hosts Africa's largest refugee population, but funding fails to match

Venezuela refugee crisis

CARE is continuing to distribute cash vouchers, rehabilitate shelters, and provide protection services and mental health and psychosocial support to displaced Venezuelans in Ecuador.

• Read more about how CARE is helping in this article on The Independent website, Venezuela’s Refugee Crisis: why don’t we care?

Philippines

CARE is preparing to assist communities in the northern Philippines hit by Typhoon Yutu. Although less devastating than the recent Typhoon Mangkhut, communities in mountainous areas in the Cordillera region are particularly vulnerable as they haven’t fully recovered yet from the devastating landslides caused by Mangkhut.

CARE is preparing for an assessment and immediate relief support in mountainous communities of Benguet province with our local partner Cordillera Disaster Response and Development Services (Cordis RDS).

• Read more in our press release Typhoon Yutu hits Northern Philippines

Democratic Republic of Congo

The Ebola outbreak in the DRC is spreading further, with 147 deaths to date. This is the DRC’s 10th Ebola outbreak since the disease first appeared in 1976 and is proving the most difficult to manage, because of ongoing conflict in the affected areas. CARE works in the city of Beni, the epicentre of the outbreak, as well as in nearby cities, to help limit the spread of the disease through awareness raising, handwashing stations, distribution of items that support hygiene practices, and activities to help reduce the stigma and discrimination that Ebola survivors, especially women and girls, face in their communities after they are cured.

Indonesia tsunami response

Helen Vanwel, CARE Indonesia Country Director, says:

While most places have now received some form of support, large numbers of people are still living on roadsides without adequate shelter. The Government has worked quickly and tirelessly to assist survivors, but there is still a way to go in making sure the people in Central Sulawesi have all the basic items they need, let alone being able to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

She adds:

On top of all the damage and destruction caused by the tsunami, the rainy season has now begun in earnest, and cases of disease outbreak are rapidly rising.

Women have told us that inadequate toilets, a lack of privacy, a lack of lighting, and toilets being too far from shelters, particularly at night, are some of their major concerns.

CARE has already reached over 5,000 people with hygiene kits which include much needed sanitary napkins. We aim to reach around 50,000 people with a first wave of basic emergency items like kitchen sets, hygiene materials and tarpaulins for temporary shelters. We will be ensuring safe spaces for women and girls so they have access to accurate information and support services. We will also focus on supporting people to rebuild as soon as possible and provide cash assistance to allow them to reinvest in livelihoods activities and reconstruction of their homes.

• Read more in our press release One month on from the Indonesia tsunami, the onset of the rainy season exacerbates survivors' suffering