NZ Freephone A monthly news bulletin that takes a look at development issues, provides analysis of global justice issues and keeps you updated with the work of CWS. An alternative to mainstream media sources. Past issues can be read here
November 2013
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FOR YOUR DIARY
19-29 November Michael Earle visiting in Otago Southland – You can make an appointment with him.
25 November International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
1 December Advent Sunday—Launch 2013 Christmas Appeal at your church.
3 December International Day of Persons with Disabilities
10 December International Human Rights Day
First supplies are arriving in more remote regions of central Philippines. Three National Council of Churches Philippines (NCCP)/ACT Alliance trucks took the six-hour journey from Catbalogan to the district of Hernani laden with parcels packed by volunteers. Sandra Cox, formerly of CWS now with ACT Alliance, reported the journey was hampered by poor roads and minor mechanical problems. The convoy delivered aid to all 2200 households without incident.
NCCP/ACT Alliance have set up hubs across the nine affected regions to provide a base from which to work. They are distributing relief supplies now and will help communities get back on their feet in coming years. CWS is grateful to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a $100,000 grant for this work. Thank you – your donations have helped make this happen. We are expecting to help partner, Developers Foundation based in Aklan Province. Communications are difficult but CWS staff member Trish Murray briefly spoke to Tet Naraval of Developers.
In Hernani 2,000 houses were damaged or destroyed,65 people lost their lives and five are still missing. Almost all means of income have gone – all 60 fishing boats were wrecked and many of the crop and coconut plantations destroyed by the waves and high winds. In an already poor region, Church leaders say they expect people to suffer hunger – it will take up to 12 months to restore crops.
NCCP and six other ACT Alliance members responded quickly to the forecast of the typhoon. A US$14 million appeal for food, water, medical supplies and shelter across the nine provinces has been launched. Working with local people and making sure the most vulnerable get the help they need, are priorities across the region. Livelihoods have been wiped out. The UN estimates 4.4 million people have been displaced. Please keep Filipinos in your prayers and support the Philippines Typhoon Appeal. Regular updates will be posted here.
CWS partners say climate change is making life harder for the communities in which they work: droughts are more intense, flooding more severe and the unpredictability harder to manage. There is often little left for small farmers. Giving poor people access to the water they need, is one way to help. The focus of this year’s appeal is on water justice.
“Today I am a happy woman,” says Jane Tumwebaze of southwest Uganda. As the mother of six children including her AIDS-orphaned niece, she is the proud owner of a water tank funded from a past Christmas Appeal. Where once she could not afford to send her children to school, had little clean water and often ran short of food, people now come to her for advice. Jane was one of the first members of the Mabuna Orphans Caretakers Association to get a rainwater tank under the guidance of CWS partner the Centre for Community Solidarity. She now has water for her family, crops, chickens and pigs. Her children can wash and go to school. Having her own water supply also helps her cope with the unpredictable weather that comes with the changing climate.
Jane is one of five partners featured in the 68th Christmas Appeal. Posters, service sheets, appeal envelopes and a CD rom of materials are available from CWS.
Demands on water supplies are increasing at a rapid rate throughout the world. CWS partners say climate change is making life harder for the communities in which they work: droughts are more intense, flooding more severe and the unpredictability harder to manage. There is often little left for small farmers. Giving poor people access to the water they need, is one way to help. The focus of this year’s appeal is on water justice.
Please give what you can to help partners do this vital work. Share Water, Share Life!
With winter approaching and little income, displaced Syrians are finding life harder. Funds are running out for food and shelter. ACT Alliance members report aid delivery is more difficult. Tensions are rising in host communities and a colder winter is predicted. ACT Alliance members including DSPR are doing their best to provide food, healthcare, education and psycho-social support. Please continue to pray for peace and an end to their suffering. Please support the Syria Appeal.
ACT Alliance members participating in the UN talks hosted in Poland are determined to keep pressing for climate justice. They are asking for firm commitments from countries to cut emissions by 2020, more money for communities to adapt to climate change and the creation of an international mechanism to pay for the loss and damage to poor communities and vulnerable countries caused by climate change. “We only need to look to Asia, and particularly the Philippines at the moment to see the urgency of unrelenting storms. Communities need to be supported to be better prepared for disasters,” said John Nduna from ACT Alliance.
In attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, prime minister John Key said he was satisfied that the Sri Lankan government was making progress on reconciliation after the civil war that ended in 2009. CWS disagrees. Tensions remain high for vulnerable communities and human rights are too often ignored. The government is spending money on large scale infrastructure development and ignoring the growing needs of the majority of poor Sri Lankans.
Compost may be the perfect gift for someone on your gift list. Or maybe you want to give some animals without the hassle of feeding them. The Gifted range of products has something to suit—available as cards/magnets of e-cards. Choose something fun or serious and know it will help.
About Update
Update provides news, information and stories. Reproduction of items is encouraged with attribution from CWS. The current and back issues are available.
