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| Photo: ACT/NCA |
On the ground and ready to respond to disaster--that is a hallmark of CWS work in Asia. After the devastating 2004 tsunami wreaked havoc in the region, the CWS Indonesia program took the lead in an international effort by Action by Churches Together (ACT) and was instrumental in early disaster relief and long-term recovery for not only Indonesia, but for other affected countries, including India and Sri Lanka.
In Pakistan in October 2005, Church World Service began immediately began providing emergency assistance to earthquake survivors --tents, blankets, food, medical care, water and sanitation, etc.--and took responsibility for one of the tent villages, while also providing supplies to other camps. As survivors returned to village areas, CWS assisted families and communities in the reconstruction of quake- resistant homes (partly by providing training in building trades), and in the restoration of livelihoods and livestock, and water and sanitation.
Following the massive typhoon in Myanmar and earthquake in China, in mid-2008, CWS helped to provide food and shelter for displaced families, as well as long-term recovery assistance. Working to help communities better prepare for future disasters is important as well, and together with local partners, CWS supports educational programs for school children and adults in how to plan for and recover from natural disasters.
Photo: CWS-ACT International |
Myanmar (Burma) “Had it not been for you, I would not have been able to grow the rainy season rice because all of my rice seeds were washed away,” says Khin, a farmer in Maubin. With millions of people in need after Cyclone Nargis, CWS and its local partners were able to provide vital emergency and recovery assistance when it was needed most.
CWS photos and videos
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Video: CWS at work in Pakistan
Interview with Marvin Parvez, Church World Service Interim Regional Coordinator, Asia & Pacific.
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Recovery in Myanmar (Burma) one year after Cyclone Nargis
Through longstanding partnerships, Church World Service was able to respond quickly to the 2008 disaster, and today many farm families on the Irrawaddy Delta have been able to replant and bring in good rice harvests. View photo gallery |
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