ActionAid’s relief operation is providing food, clean water and hygiene kits to impacted communities. Additionally, because women face increased risks to their health, safety and security during emergencies, a focus of ActionAid’s emergency response will be to support the leadership of women from affected communities, to ensure targeted protection, healthcare and psychosocial support.
Michelle Higelin, Executive Director at ActionAid Australia, said:
“ActionAid’s local partner has a been working in Colombia for over 30 years, supporting women and their communities through conflict and crisis. Our existing presence in affected areas means the team is already on the ground providing urgent relief to impacted communities, and we’re calling on Australians to help us scale up this response by donating to our emergency appeal.”
ActionAid Colombia has a strong presence in Colombia with offices in Bogota, Nariño, Valle del Cauca Buenaventura and Valle del Cauca Cauca, and has been working with several partners in the country over the past 30 years to deliver humanitarian assistance. ActionAid partners in Buenaventura have reported damage to their infrastructure, while in Cauca, reports indicate that 27 people have been killed in Valle del Cauca. In Cauca, ActionAid has been supporting communities affected by armed conflict through a multisectoral response programme, providing an existing presence and operational capacity to respond to this large scale emergency.
Australians can make a tax-deductible donation at: colombia.actionaid.org.au
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Spokespeople are available for interview, and photos, testimonies and video footage are available on request.
Contact
Stephanie Wulf, Senior Communications Manager, ActionAid Australia
+61 (0)456 952 836
About ActionAid
ActionAid is a global women’s rights organisation, working with women on the frontlines of injustice – including the climate crisis, conflicts, and humanitarian emergencies. Our dedicated local staff work with more than 41 million people living in 71 countries, supporting women to transform their lives and their communities.