A bi-monthly news bulletin exploring development, global justice and the work of CWS. An alternative to mainstream media sources. Past issues can be read here

Download as PDF or read the text below:

For your Diary:

6 March—18 April Seven Weeks for Water

1 April Operation Refugee begins

7 April World Health Day—Universal Health Coverage

2 April Earth Day

24 April Rana Plaza Anniversary

2019 is the UN Year for Indigenous Languages

 

Cyclone Idai destroys livelihoods

CWS has launched an appeal to assist nearly 3 million people affected by Cyclone Idai in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The storm with powerful winds and intense rain made landfall at Beira, Mozambique on March 15. Called one of the worst weather-related catastrophes in Africa, it left large areas underwater, landing on already saturated land and destroying drought-affected crops shortly before harvest.

As the waters recede the damage becomes more apparent as does the threat of water-borne disease. People are in urgent need of food assistance, safe water to drink and medical care. Local ACT Alliance members (Action by Churches Together) immediately responded to the need and relief supplies are being distributed. Members are finalising plans to assist communities to meet their immediate needs. They will work with them towards restoring livelihoods and homes.

“We appeal to our partners and all people of goodwill to spare some resources and whatever you can to support our fellow brothers and sisters who are now struggling with life”, says Rev. Alex Benson Maulana, General Secretary of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Blantyre Synod from Malawi.

Please support the Cyclone Idai Appeal at 0800 74 73 72 or online.

 

Indonesia: Six Months On Tsunami Survivors in Tents

Recovery efforts in Central Sulawesi continue. Thanks to your donations matched by the government, ACT Alliance is helping with water and sanitation, health, shelter, protection and disaster training.

 

CWS and Partners Respond to Attacks on Christchurch Mosques

“If we want the violence to end, we must invest in the difficult task of peacemaking, learning to accommodate our differences, and creating space for dialogue and justice,” National Director, Pauline McKay.

CWS shares messages sent by partners for all of us after the attacks on March 15.

South Sudan: Building Pockets of Peace

Maridi Service Agency (director Wadalla Peter pictured bottom right) ran the first sex education and guidance training for scholarship students supported by CWS. Sex education helps prevents early pregnancies and child brides common in this war ravaged country. CWS has received a request for extra funds for MSA’s programme to help newly displaced people with food, water, shelter materials and cooking items. To help, donate to the South Sudan Appeal.

 

Easter Gifts

Chocolate eggs are traditional but how about a gift instead? We have Chickens, Goats and Sheep, and Herbs and Honey available as a printed card or e-card, helping Palestinian families earn an income.

 

Tax Credits

Year-end receipts will be sent out with a brief report in the following fortnight. Contact Sarah if you need a copy of a missing receipt or would like an IR526, available from April 1.

 

Operation Refugee

On April 1, CWS launches Operation Refugee 2019. In addition to the familiar challenge to live on refugee rations for 5 days or 2 days if you are a student, we have added a walking or biking option. Choose to do the challenge between April and September—the default is 16-20 June, finishing on World Refugee Day. Life is getting harder for Syrians in Jordan and Lebanon and they are not ready to return to the fragile situation at home. Please join the challenge and tell others about it.

The Right to a Living Wage

The workers on Sri Lanka’s tea estates want to be healthy, send their children to school and live in better conditions. Instead they have the worst health and education statistics in the country, occupying a position close to slavery according to our partner, the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform.

Thanks to pressure from Monlar and other partners, the workers won a national pay increase that was 20% more than their own unions had requested in award negotiations.

Read Time for the Tea Pickers to see how they achieved such a win.

 

Job Vacancy

CWS is advertising for a Relationships Coordinator based in Auckland, initially for 6 months. Applications close on April 8.

 

CWS Update provides news, information, and stories. Reproduction of items is encouraged with attribution to CWS. Current and back issues are available.