Last year, we traveled to the Thar region of Umerkot to document the transformative impact of the Humanitarian Assistance, Early Recovery, and Development (HERD) Project, supported by Canadian Foodgrain Bank (CFGB) and Presbytarian World Service and Development. (PWS&D). Through our lens, we captured stories of resilience, hope, and progress. Six months later, we returned to the village to share the documentary with the very people whose lives it portrayed. The entire community came together to witness their own stories unfold on screen—a moment of reflection, empowerment, and collective strength.
Archives
Reviewing the Core Humanitarian Standard Together!
A Multi-Faceted Approach to Strengthening Health and Education in Umerkot
Sindh Province in Pakistan has seen a wave of climate-induced disasters and other crises in recent years. Drought, Locust Attacks, the COVID-19 Pandemic, and Flooding, have all left district Umerkot and Sindh’s desert region particularly hard hit. Umerkot in particular is historically prone to moderate droughts and is categorised as highly vulnerable according to the Drought Vulnerability Index. With the support of Australian partners, Community World Service Asia is working to provide essential health and quality education services to communities affected by climate-related issues and displacement in Umerkot.
Lets Not Shift the Power: We have to Take it!
A new approach to promoting QAS in humanitarian and development Action
In 2022’s Regional Humanitarian Partnership Week, a five-day workshop on Quality, Accountability and Safeguarding (QAS) in Humanitarian Action, was organised by Community World Service Asia. This workshop that focused on taking a mentorship approach on promoting QAS, was engaging and innovative and was facilitated by Sylvie Robert, an Independent Consultant and expert on QAS, and co-facilitated by Rizwan Iqbal, Global Quality & Accountability Officer, ACT Alliance.
As we prepare for the upcoming annual regional QAS trainings this month, let us hear what Sylvie and Rizwan discuss in a quick chat post the workshop.
Sphere Regional Focal Point Forum for Asia, Bangkok, December 2022
One Year of Recovery: Remembering Flood Survivours & The Road Ahead
ACT Alliance has been one of CWSA’s key partners in humanitarian response in the region. Their support ensured aid to thousands of flood affected families in Pakistan in 2023. ACT staff was in the field this month to monitor relief and response activities supported by the Appeal with a special message on the first anniversary of the disaster.
One Year of Recovery: Remembering Flood Survivours & The Road Ahead
As we mark the one year anniversary of Pakistan’s devastating Floods of 2022, our Regional Director, highlights how affected populations have survived one of the century’s worst climatic disasters and the needs that still exist.
Ravaged a land that was
The Floods of 2022 have left entire districts sunk and 1/3rd of Pakistan submerged in water. Now even after nine months of surviving unprecedented rainfall, water still stands over acres of land, leaving the country economically and developmentally paralysed.
Khairpur district is among the areas left almost completely devastated. The rain that by some accounts did not cease for two months have left villages here under more than a metre of water even today.
Community World Service Asia, with the support of CAFOD and Disasters Emergency Committee, UK, responded to the needs of some of the most vulnerable affected communities through immediate cash assistance and emergency health support.
Floods across Pakistan forced tens of thousands of people out of their homes overnight
One of the worst affected district was Khairpur. Houses were swept away, livestock was lost and many farming lands have lost their crops. The situation is still evolving, with flood waters stagnant in many areas, causing water-borne and vector-borne diseases to spread, and more than 8 million displaced people now facing a health and livelihoods crisis.
