Emergency Relief

Over 4.5 million people have become refugees, making this one of the fastest-growing refugee crises since World War II. A further 7.1 million people have been internally displaced within Ukraine. Throughout the conflict, millions of people have been stranded in war zones or have been unable to leave the country due to the destruction of bridges and roads, lack of economic resources, or lack of information on where to find safety and shelter. UNHCR immediately intervened inside the country, providing the population with protection, shelter, basic necessities and cash assistance. In neighbouring countries, UNHCR stepped up its assistance to the countries that immediately offered hospitality to the fleeing population.

Swiss Solidarity is a foundation that was established at the initiative of two radio presenters from the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation in 1946, to provide aid to people dramatically affected by the Second World War. Swiss Solidarity raises funds through public appeals to civil society and today is Switzerland’s largest humanitarian donor, acting worldwide in partnership with 25 NGOs. At the beginning of the conflict, Swiss Solidarity’s focus was on emergency aid for displaced persons and refugees: food, medical care and shelter. Subsequently, longer-term projects could be planned, such as the rehabilitation of destroyed buildings, protection from the cold, and access to education and health services. The projects implemented by the 12 Swiss partner organisations on the ground particularly focus on those who are most affected by the conflict because they live near combat zones or have had to flee their homes. This includes people with special needs, such as single parents with responsibility for several children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, older people, and people with disabilities. Thanks to the donations collected, Swiss Solidarity was able to help thousands of people affected by the conflict in Ukraine, donating CHF 130 million, promoting 89 projects and reaching 800.000 people. The humanitarian need in Ukraine is still enormous. In addition to providing emergency aid, Swiss Solidarity is also active in the medium to long term to help people during the ongoing conflict and to hold out the prospect that one day there will be a return to a normal life.

Many have lost their lives to the violence; many more have fled the country, moved to safer locations within Ukraine, sought safety underground or remained blocked in their place of residence. During this conflict, huge numbers of animals were also being directly impacted. In addition to immediately allocating funds to deal with the humanitarian emergency, in line with the values and sensitivity of its founder Elsa Peretti, the Foundation has donated to Humane Society International Europe to ensure animals in need have not been forgotten. Humane Society International has been able to respond immediately to support both people and animals affected by this crisis, by working with volunteer groups and local organisations in Ukraine, as well as in Germany, Italy, Romania and Poland, where refugees are arriving with their pets. Unfortunately, some animals were left behind, surrendered to shelters or simply released in the streets, where they had to fend for themselves. In addition, hundreds of animal shelters, rescues, and veterinary clinics throughout the country have been unable to evacuate. HSI provided emergency financial aid to the biggest animal welfare organisation in Ukraine, UAnimals, which distributed aid to animal shelters, rescues and families caring for companion animals. It also helped animals in zoos, sanctuaries, veterinary clinics and other situations.

The equestrian sector is very expansive, with a significant number of riding establishments spread across the country. The war in Ukraine has brought devastation to large parts of the eastern side of the country and the equestrian sector has not been immune to this catastrophe. The whole horse industry has collapsed. Stables have been bombed resulting in multiple human and equine fatalities, and owners have fled the conflict, either abandoning their animals or letting them run free. Equine feed, forage and bedding were the priority needs, with forage and bedding remaining in critically short supply. The demand for equine transporters to move animals to the safer areas of the country in the west was increasing. The British Equestrians for Ukraine Fund was established in early March 2022, soon after the beginning of the conflict, with the aims of raising funds to support the country’s equestrian sector and to help coordinate the considerable amount of equine supplies that were being donated from the UK and other countries. The aim was to work with trusted stakeholders to try to provide support to where it is most needed, such as the Ukraine Equestrian Federation, the Ukraine Horse Union, the Federation of European, and the International Equestrian Federation. The British Equestrians for Ukraine Fund is managed through the international NGO World Horse Welfare, based in the UK.

In Turkey, the earthquakes impacted 11 provinces with a total population of 15 million people, of whom 1.7 million are Syrians under Temporary Protection. Those caught up in the disaster include many thousands of refugees from Syria and the communities that have generously hosted them for nearly 12 years. The earthquake has caused acute structural damage across the 10 provinces. Needs Map (Needs Map (İhtiyaç Haritası) is a Turkish social cooperative that has created a digital platform that brings people in need together with individuals and institutions that want to support them. Needs Map collects and validates needs from individuals/organisations and facilitates peer-to-peer matching with support systems via its map-based technology. It facilitates cooperation and solidarity in fields of disaster and humanitarian crisis. Needs Map has worked to identify the impact of disasters on people, buildings, and economic activities in the region since the first day of the earthquake thanks to team members in the field and its map-based technological infrastructure. Needs Map monitors the impact on affected communities and works with the members of the Disaster Network to allocate aid and support to where they’re needed most. From the warehouses in the earthquake region, the Network responds quickly to provide the immediate delivery of needed materials and to ensure the coordination of in-kind aid. In line with sustainable development goals, 3 co-living spaces were established in Hatay, Adıyaman and Kahramanmaraş. The co-living spaces in 3 different cities consisted of 17 neighbourhoods in areas of approx. 135.000 m2 and housed a total of 1.700 households. In addition to the ongoing immediate needs, the needs of people staying in the co-living centres must be met regularly on a daily or weekly basis. The immediate and initial needs were shelters, food packages, and hygiene materials. Through the platform “One Rent One Home” carried out in cooperation with the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and Needs Map, the organisation aimed to contribute to the solution of the sheltering problem of the earthquake victims with the donations to be collected. Since the first day of the earthquake, a total of approx. 410m TL was collected and the shelter needs of 30.934 people were met. The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation has granted a fund to directly support Needs Map activities and efforts and to ensure their operational activities are made more sustainable.

Following the collapse of most of the buildings and infrastructure in southern and central provinces, a large-scale rescue began to save as many human lives as possible, as well as the lives of many thousands of domestic and street animals. Humane Society International responded quickly, aiding local organisations and other NGOs, and scheduling several waves of rescue operations. In the days that followed the first earthquake, HSI provided operations support to trusted partners on the ground and organised the arrival of several HSI-staffed first-respondent teams to assist the ground rescue. Among the rescue operation activities, HSI helped provide logistical support based in Adana, Turkey, from a staging area established by the Turkish Ministry of Interior Disaster & Emergency Management. From there, they secured critically needed supplies, veterinary equipment, animal feed, and other necessities. They also organised search and rescue operations to care for as many animals as possible; established a veterinary clinic to assess and treat injured animals; provided sheltering assistance in the hopes of reconnecting animals with their caretakers; distribution of pet care essentials to survivors and their animals.

Many of the hardest-hit communities are in north-western Syria, where many of the homes destroyed belonged to people who have already been displaced several times by the ongoing conflict in the region that has lasted 12 years. Since the onset of the emergency, UNHCR has been providing protection services, core relief items and shelter support to thousands of families, particularly the most vulnerable such as female-headed households, elderly people and people with disabilities.

The World Health Organization reported that around 300.000 individuals have been affected by the catastrophe, including nearly 100.000 children, and that 50.000 homes have either partially or completely collapsed. MSF has intervened to stabilise the critical mental health situation of the earthquake-affected population, offering psychological support to survivors and the highly traumatised population.

The impact of this seismic event was felt mainly in the provinces of Al-Haouz and Chichaoua in the Marrakech-Safi region, Taroudant, Ouarzazate and Azilal. These provinces, historically known for their rural environment, are less economically prosperous than the country’s urban centres. Factors such as low income, limited productivity, high levels of illiteracy and the challenge of living in a mountainous terrain contribute to these disparities. Right from the start, the Moroccan government and various NGOs collaborated to meet the most basic needs of the affected population, including the provision of food, mattresses and blankets. Despite these efforts, and because of the impending winter period, the population close to the mountains still needed adequate shelter. For 20 years, Caritas Diocesaine Rabat (Caritas Rabat Association) has been working on projects to assist, support and protect people in a situation of migration or mobility, so that they can enjoy their fundamental rights in Morocco, and also material assistance and comfort (reception, listening, information and orientation). Caritas Rabat, together with local associations, contributed immediate aid to the earthquake-affected populations in the mountainous regions and provided those vulnerable communities with support to face the winter with clothes, blankets, hygiene kits and food for children. This emergency intervention is to be completed by May 2024. In the medium and long term, Caritas Rabat is preparing other projects to help people return to work.

The NaEPF has immediately decided to support Caritas, which is currently providing emergency assistance to individuals and families impacted by the disaster. Alongside its many volunteers, Caritas is providing essential daily meals to support both the deployed response team and the residents of Valencia, Cuenca, Albacete, and Letur. In coordination with social services, Caritas is addressing emerging needs, offering companionship, emotional and psychosocial support to community members during these challenging times. Teams are actively working to clear mud and debris from streets, homes, and community premises.

The NaEPF is constantly monitoring the situation and is ready to plan further aid for the population of Valencia, not forgetting the suffering of animals and the consequences for agriculture that the flood has caused.