EMERGENCY ACTION WHERE YOU ARE NEEDED MOST

Ethiopia

What Tigray Emergency response

Local Partner LWF Ethiopia

Where Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Who 81,931 people in conflict-affected communities

ALWS Action $50,000

Why our help was needed

In November 2020 an armed conflict started between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian Federal government. Thousands of people were killed, and an estimated 1.8 million people displaced. A cessation of hostilities agreement was signed in November 2022, but many challenges remain.

Our action together

• Provision of safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services to conflict affected people. Water supply infrastructures were constructed and other repaired to provide safe drinking water

• Provision of Non-Food Essentials and seeds to grow food crops like wheat

• Provision of multi-purpose cash. Multi-purpose cash enabled conflict affected families to access basic household needs like food and medication

• Provision of psycho-social support to conflict affected persons especially women and children.

Tonga

What Tonga Volcanic Eruption Emergency Response

Local Partner Anglican Overseas Aid

Where Tongatapu, Ha’apai & Vava’u Tonga

Who 8,000 people

ALWS Action $30,000

Why our help was needed

In January 2023, the underwater volcano in Hunga Tonga – Hunga Ha’pai erupted shooting massive ash and particles in space.

This triggered a Tsunami with water heights reaching over 19m. This caused a lot of destruction to lives, infrastructure and property. This further affected all basic services including access to clean/safe water, food, education and health care.

Our action together

• In partnership with Anglican Overseas Aid (AOA), lifesaving humanitarian aid was delivered to disaster-affected communities

• Provision of fresh drinking water and food

• Provision of hygiene kits and covid 19 prevention health supplies

• Provision of tools and equipment including 4 generators, 4 chainsaws & handsaws

• Provision of children’s educational materials.

Myanmar

What Support for displaced families

Local Partner LWF Myanmar and local partners

Where Kayin State

Who 27,305 people in partnership with other agencies

ALWS Action $50,000* (including $30,000 contribution from Transform Aid International Australia)

Why our help was needed

Conflict in Myanmar has forced families to flee their homes and stay in surrounding jungle in areas that are difficult and unsafe to access from nearby towns. They have limited access to food, shelter, hygiene items, drinking water.

Our action together

• Food and hygiene kits were distributed to 3,673 families supporting nutrition and health needs for communities fleeing armed conflict.

* Funds were sent in 2021 but project was also implemented in 2022

Bangladesh

What Sylhet Floods

Local Partner Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS)

Where Kulaura Upazila of Moulvibazar District

Who 1,480 Rohingya families

ALWS Action ALWS: $30,000

Why our help was needed

Northeastern region of Bangladesh experienced flash floods for the second time in 2022 devastating people’s lives and livelihoods in 9 northeastern districts of Bangladesh.

An estimated 7.2 million people (about 3.5 million children) were affected with 55 deaths, 83394-hectare crop land damage, and 219,4051 livestock affected.

Our action together

• Relief pack consisting of basic food items and sanitation pack was provided to 1,480 families.

Why we Walk(ed) My Way

“While we were participating on the St Mary’s peak walk, there were many times – and I can speak for the majority of the girls in Year 9, that we felt like giving up. Like we couldn’t continue walking, and we were too tired.

Whether that was losing the path we were meant to be walking on, climbing up the steep rocks, or just not able to keep up with the group. But apart from each other’s support the want to help those refugees kept us going.

When I was tired, I just thought of what the refugees had to go through.

We walked 26 kilometres – which is a lot – but these refugees have to walk hundreds, possibly even thousands of kilometres ...

Walking for others that are in greater distress than me ... and although I will never fully understand what it is like for them, I felt I could empathise with them, and want to make a difference in their lives. I can do that for them ...”

Tiarna Rose, Year 9 Encounter Lutheran College

Victor Harbor, SA

Students’ selfless sacrifice

Many people worry about the world our young people are growing into. War. Changing climate. Greed. Poverty and injustice.

The danger is young people may feel powerless to bring about change – which is why ALWS works hard in Lutheran schools across Australia to show students the power they have to make a difference through ALWS.

Teachers like David Folker from Living Faith

Lutheran Primary School are key partners in supporting students to bring love to life. David inspired and equipped his Christian Studies class to develop and implement an Action Plan on what they would sacrifice to make life better for someone else.

“I was motivated to give up my bed for five nights. People from Ukraine have been sleeping on the floor for weeks and sometimes even months. They are feeling very devastated in these shelters. I am hoping my campaign can raise $500 or more in 4 weeks. I want to raise money for Ukraine people because they have nothing while we have everything. Which makes me think we can spare money for them because we have so much.”

Chloe H

“I am motivated to sacrifice because God sacrificed his Son for us. That got me really motivated to help Tonga because of their big tsunami. That is why I am sacrificing my bed. I want to raise enough money to help them grow their own food and not have to depend on other people.”

Chayse M

“I am motivated to make a sacrifice for others because that shows that we love everyone even though we haven’t met them yet. We can still show kindness and how we love others because kindness is important!”

Megan T

Lives You Touch

In 2022, ALWS was blessed to receive $1,031,728 from people who left a gift in their Will to continue caring for people through ALWS. Many people find this a simple and special way to give the greatest gift of their life, after they have taken care of their loved ones. It is also a powerful testimony to the values you hold most precious.

If you’d like a copy of Lives You Touch, the ALWS guide to how you can do this too, simply contact ALWS: 1300 763 407 • alws@alws.org.au

Very Valuable Volunteers

In 2022, volunteers donated 817.25 hours of their time which represents a saving of $24,485 –which means more of your donation gets to those who need it. Thank you, Volunteers!

Birthday Mosquito Nets

When Charlotte turned 11, she received $150 in gifts from friends and family.

A few days after the birthday, mum Tanya suggested she and Charlotte go shopping together to spend the birthday money.

Charlotte told mum it was all gone. Tanya was worried and confused about what had happened to the money.

That’s when Charlotte told mum that her school had an ALWS Guest Speaker, and she had decided to use all her birthday money to buy mosquito nets for refugee families in Bangladesh! A very relieved and proud Tanya said: