Humanitarian Emergency Fund: annual report 2023-2024
A report on the impact of projects funded through the Humanitarian Emergency Fund in 2023 to 2024.
Section B. HEF Achievements In 23/24
In 2023 and 2024, the HEF prioritised addressing global emergencies using funding from the Scottish Government to support a variety of humanitarian crises, from conflict and refugee responses, droughts, food crises, flooding, earthquakes, and loss and damage climate related disasters. This section details the achievements of the HEF Panel with Scottish Government funding across 2023 to 2024, by crisis and member.
Impact of HEF Funds
Between April 2023 and March 2024, the HEF reached 313,151 people directly, including 173,700 females and 139,451 males[1]. Agencies used targeted and multi-sectoral approaches such as WASH delivery, food parcels and cash assistance. A key focus of the HEF’s efforts was on gender-based responses, particularly supporting women and girls who are often the most affected in emergencies due to their increased vulnerability and the unique challenges they face in crisis settings. HEF funded programmes also prioritised localisation, contributing to the broader localisation agenda and the decolonisation of humanitarian aid, by working through local partners where possible. By reporting on disaggregated gender data and incorporating localisation strategies, HEF agencies worked to empower communities and strengthen existing local structures. Overall, HEF funding has played a crucial role in delivering necessary assistance, promoting gender equity by addressing the specific needs of women and girls, and supporting sustainable, locally driven humanitarian efforts.
Since the beginning of HEF operations in 2017 the £1 million annual fund (and additional funding) has directly reached at least 711,542 people and indirectly reached significantly more. The reach of the HEF over this period can be summarised as follows:
- 24 countries (Stream 1 (DEC), 2, and additional funds)
- 31 activations (Stream 1 (DEC), 2, and additional funds)
- Funds allocated to DEC appeals: £4.4m
- Funds allocated to HEF specific projects: £7.5m
- Funds allocated through additional projects: £5.6m
- Total funds: £17.5m
- # total people reached: 711,542
Malawi, Cyclone Freddy: March 2023
The activation amount was £400,000, with SCIAF and Save the Children awarded £200,000 respectively.
Context at the time of activation
Tropical Cyclone Freddy brought torrential rainfall to southern Malawi from 12th to 15th March 2023, causing devastating floods and mudslides and leaving a trail of destruction across 15 districts. Over 1,000 people were killed, and many more were injured. Critical infrastructure, including homes, health facilities, schools, roads, bridges, food stores and markets were damaged or destroyed. At least 44 roads and over 40 bridges were damaged.
Over 2.2 million people were affected by the heavy rains and floods caused by the cyclone, of whom an estimated 1.3 million people were in the most urgent need of assistance. The cyclone caused widespread damage to homes with over 659,000 people displaced at the peak of the crisis. Families who lost everything required urgent support to restart their lives, particularly those who had to reside in displacement camps. It was essential to ensure that these camps enabled equitable access to services and protection for those living there, particularly for women and children.
At least 1.3 million people were estimated to require urgent food and livelihoods support, following the impact of the flooding on agriculture, livestock, and household food stocks. More than 200,000 hectares of agricultural land were impacted, and over 1.4 million livestock affected, exacerbating existing food insecurity in the affected areas. Most households lost their food stocks due to the subsequent floods which soaked and washed away their food supplies.
Cyclone Freddy caused major damage to health facilities, with at least 65 health centres affected; support was required for restoration of health facilities through replenishing essential medicine stock and equipment and assisting the most vulnerable who required urgent care such as those with chronic disease, people living with HIV/Aids, the elderly, and pregnant women. Widespread standing floodwaters, damage to water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure and facilities, and large-scale displacement all increased the risks of water- and vector-borne diseases, including cholera, as well as respiratory illnesses.
Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF)
Approach and activities
The programme focused on immediate humanitarian support to vulnerable communities, with a focus on maintaining dignity and agency through rehabilitation of boreholes, provision of dignity packs for women and girls, and WASH information products. SCIAF far surpassed their initial target of rehabilitating 5 boreholes. They ultimately provided the targeted households with 20 rehabilitated boreholes, enabling improved access to safe water for the community.
SCIAF and its partner procured and distributed 1,150 bottles of water purifiers to households which were far from safe water sources with limited capacity to treat water. Additionally, in one project area, SCIAF provided bags of chlorine for the District Health Office to support water treatment at health centres.
The project also targeted women, girls, and other vulnerable persons with immediate shelter and non-food items including 2,000 kits containing underwear, soap, and sanitary products, supporting the dignity of those affected. SCIAF also provided building materials including cement, iron sheets, poles, and nails to 75 vulnerable households who had lost their homes and were in need of shelter.
SCIAF supported affected communities by supplying 13,500 people with food items in the form of kits containing beans, flour, cooking oil, and salt. This supported those who had lost their food stocks and required urgent and immediate food provisions to prevent further hunger and food insecurity.
Finally, SCIAF delivered support to five mobile health services that had been disrupted as a result of the cyclone. This was delivered through the provision of logistical support, enabling the mobile teams to reach those most in need within the affected communities.
This needs-based approach enabled SCIAF to identify, target, and help those who were most affected by the impact of Cyclone Freddy, particularly women and girls, in a dignified and effective way, and maximised funding in the early stages of this humanitarian crisis.
Key achievements: in numbers
People reached directly: 13,500
Females reached directly: 8,581
Males reached directly: 4,919
Expenditure: £200,000
Added value and impact of HEF funding
The Scottish Government's funding had several significant impacts on SCIAF’s emergency response efforts. These include enhancement of capacity and experience in managing diverse needs during humanitarian crises, through providing an opportunity to develop skills and knowledge for conducting counselling sessions with disaster-affected communities.
HEF funding also enabled SCIAF to engage and support district and national authorities in the communities by positioning themselves as a key organisation in the Cyclone Freddy interventions, particularly regarding addressing essential humanitarian and urgent needs during these specific climate disasters. The benefit of this coordination is that SCIAF were able to support local entities to maximise resources and broaden their partnerships to better reach those most in need and affected by the emergency. The Scottish Government funded project has provided vital building materials and means to enable households to become more resilient to similar climate shocks in the future.
Save the Children
Approach and activities
Save the Children’s Scottish Government funded project supported affected communities with vital cash and food assistance, WASH services, and hygiene information. Overall, Save the Children reached 194,517 people and improved their living conditions through these crucial interventions.
Save the Children provided multi-purpose cash transfers to those most in need, in particular, women and people with disabilities, supporting autonomy and dignity by enabling them to purchase items they most need, such as food, shelter materials, and medicines for themselves and their families. Two rounds of cash transfers of £27.56 were delivered in May and June of 2023, using mobile wallets to reach 1,495 families. The post-distribution monitoring survey found that the vast majority of participants spent the money on food (97.6% purchased cereal). Some also spent the cash on education materials to support their children, whose schooling had been disrupted by the Cyclone.
Through Scottish Government funding, Save the Children also provided crucial nutritional supplements in the form of corn-soya blend for pregnant women, and women who were breastfeeding children under the age of two, to boost the health and nutrition of the women and consequently the quantity and quality of their milk for their children. Additionally, Save the Children coupled this intervention with acute malnutrition screening and referrals for mothers and children, as well as counselling and training on breast feeding, and addressing feeding challenges, reinforcing, and promoting positive feeding behaviours. Caretakers for malnourished children were also integrated into care groups and participated in cooking demonstrations, community complementary feeding and learning sessions to increase their knowledge on nutritious food preparation techniques.
Save the Children delivered urgent water, sanitation, and hygiene services for communities who were already in the midst of a cholera crisis. With damaged water and hygiene infrastructure, the risk of water-borne diseases and cholera in displacement camps and surrounding communities was a considerable concern. Save the Children delivered buckets, handwashing soap, water treatment chemicals, and basins, for displacement camps, schools, and health facilities. Save the Children also conducted meetings for target communities on healthy hygiene practices through site visits and distributing information through songs and jingles. There were no cholera cases reported in the target area throughout the lifetime of the response.
Key achievements: in numbers
People reached directly: 194,517
Females reached directly: 106,897
Males reached directly: 87,620
Expenditure: £199,693
Added value and impact of HEF funding
Cyclone Freddy struck Malawi while the country was already dealing with a cholera outbreak. The Zomba district had been experiencing increased cholera cases since January 2023. HEF funding was crucial in supporting cholera prevention activities in 18 camps and surrounding communities.
Additionally, the project utilised communication to raise awareness and educate current and potential donors about the need for more funding. Save the Children actively publicised the received funding and the positive impacts achieved, showcasing the Scottish Government’s contribution to the recovery and well-being of families affected by Cyclone Freddy in Malawi, also enhancing transparency and accountability of the affected communities.
Context now
Please see Malawi food crisis activation section for an update on the humanitarian situation in Malawi.
Sudan Crisis: May 2023
The activation amount was £250,000, with British Red Cross and Oxfam awarded £125,000 respectively.
Background to the Crisis
Context at the time of activation
On 15th April 2023, civil war broke out in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, due to a pre-existing power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF were previously formed to crush a rebellion from local populations in the region of Darfur as people suffered human rights abuses and marginalisation 20 years ago. The beginning of these abuses and rebellions and the formation of the RSF, can be traced back as the root of the current violence. There have been reports that the actions from the RSF have led to ethnically based violence in Darfur, against communities such as the ethnic Massalit and non-Arab communities.
British Red Cross (Sudan)
Approach and activities
Following the events of 15th April 2023, the Sudan Red Crescent Society (SRCS) began leading the response on the ground, mobilising volunteers across Sudan, to respond to the thousands of civilians caught up in the conflict. As swathes of families and communities began to be displaced internally and seek safety elsewhere, the predominant humanitarian support required for those affected was shelter, food, water, and medical care.
Therefore, the British Red Cross, through SRCS, responded to the urgent needs of uprooted communities by focusing on emergency first aid, access to safe water, and emergency shelter. With HEF funding, SRCS were able to reach over 14,000 people indirectly within their wider response.
Scottish Government funding contributed to the Red Cross emergency appeal by supporting affected people with medical referrals, transfers to hospitals and health facilities for treatment, as well as emergency first aid provision.
Additionally, support and rehabilitation were provided for existing health structures and facilities through providing health kits containing vital medicines, equipment such as stethoscopes and thermometers, and PPE for health staff. Community-based disease prevention and health promotion was also prioritised; SRCS volunteers were pivotal in disseminating information about behavioural and medical health risks in the context. As part of this, hygiene kits and dignity kits for women and girls were distributed to communities, which were crucial in aiding people on the move, meeting the immediate hygiene needs of the affected population.
These health initiatives reached over 12,000 people indirectly in the communities with urgent support.
With HEF funding, Red Cross through their partner SRCS were able to deliver essential and critical emergency shelter for over 10,000 displaced people, as well as non-food items such as tents, sleeping mats, kitchen sets, solar lanterns for women, and blankets. For those who had fled their homes with nothing, these items were crucial in providing safety and comfort in displacement camps.
Key achievements: in numbers
People reached directly: 3,100
Females reached directly: 2,000
Males reached directly: 1,100
Expenditure: £125,000
Added value and impact of HEF funding
HEF funding provided a boost to the IFRC emergency appeal at a time when the response had only 5% funding coverage – by the end of October 2023 it stood at 14% of the overall target. Given the challenges experienced by all agencies to fund activities it is clear how important – and timely - the HEF funds were for the response and for those reached.
HEF funds supplemented key elements of the wider response, with a particular focus on the vital areas of emergency first aid and tailored basic needs support, enabling the SRCS to provide quick and effective lifesaving support, both in the cities where fighting was at its fiercest and on the borders where so many vulnerable people have been forced to flee.
Zahra’s story[2]
Zahra, an IDP who used to live in Khartoum, Omdurman city, was forced to leave her home and flee with her 5 children, 3 boys and 2 girls. She arrived to Portsudan and stayed for a while with one of her relatives. Later, she decided to rent a house so she and her children can finally have peace and comfort, but she was unable to afford the rent. She stated that she was informed of shelters for people who fled the war and don’t have a place to stay. She took her children to (Mohamed Shaiba Dormitory), and luckily, they were given a place where they currently stay.
Mohamed Shaiba dormitory in Portsudan is currently considered as IDPs shelter, hosting 369 families who fled the ongoing disastrous war from different parts of Sudan. Zahra also mentioned that she and her children were very happy to receive the NFI kit provided by the British Red Cross. Zahra also added that she wishes assistance continues to be delivered to people affected by the ongoing civil war.
“If it wasn’t for this generous assistance, I wouldn’t be able to purchase and benefit from these items,” Zahra said.
Oxfam (South Sudan)
Approach and activities
At the time of activation, large numbers of refugees were crossing into South Sudan via legal and illegal points of entry in the Renk county in Upper Nile, including Joda, in South Sudan. Many were received by temporary transit centres run by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), as well as UNHCR providing emergency food and aid. However, there were several pockets of new arrivals using the Joda border crossing in Renk who were not being supported by international actors. Thus, many of those fleeing did not receive sufficient help.
Humanitarian assessments in May 2023 found that these border areas, and those crossing at these points, urgently needed food, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Importantly, the markets in Renk were functional, meaning that while the average prices had increased considerably, distributing cash would be the most suitable method of programme delivery, to provide people with empowerment and dignity, as well as stimulating the local economy.
Therefore, Oxfam aimed to build on their pre-existing cash transfer programme, focusing on multi-purpose, one off cash assistance to help the most vulnerable households meet their basic food and wider needs. The plan was to transfer $125 to 742 households reaching a total of 4,552 people. In actuality, the project exceeded its objectives by surpassing these targets, reaching 1,267 households. The post-distribution monitoring report revealed that most of the cash assistance was used by households to meet their basic needs: 86% for food and 14% for medical treatment.
Key achievements: in numbers
People reached directly (by cash and overall): 7,602
Females reached directly: 4,053
Males reached directly: 3,549
Expenditure: £125,001
Added value and impact of HEF funding
Through funding from the Scottish Government, Oxfam expanded its aid efforts to assist a significant number of returnees escaping the Sudan conflict, supporting them in Joda, Zero Church, and Abu Ghadhara. This financial support was crucial in reaching these individuals promptly and efficiently. Oxfam utilised cash-based methods, ensuring cost-effectiveness and flexibility in delivering short-term humanitarian aid to overlooked participants in informal settlements.
Additionally, this funding enhanced protection for the most vulnerable, and promoted collaboration among stakeholders, including the UN and local authorities.
Empowering recipients to prioritise their needs through cash transfers also strengthened their resilience and autonomy and allowed them to conveniently access markets near their homes. This, in turn, stimulated local market growth, which ultimately assisted in fostering social cohesion between existing communities and new arrivals, promoting a more harmonious community environment.
Achol’s story[3]
Achol Tach, 36, delivered her son just two days after receiving a cash transfer as part of Oxfam’s humanitarian response to the Sudan crisis, funded by the Scottish Government. At the time, Achol (pictured below) was living in the Ziro informal settlement camp in Renk town, across the border in neighbouring South Sudan.
It is one of the numerous temporary camps that have sprung up within South Sudan to host refugees before they move on to other locations across the country.
Health issues and diseases are common in the camps, including illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, diarrhoea, and the common cold, as well as snake bites. Expectant mothers like Achol face tough challenges and living conditions, with limited access to basic essentials, as well as healthcare.
Oxfam and other aid agencies have responded to the Sudan crisis by setting up temporary health centres to help expectant mothers and children, both at the formal Transit Centre and nearby refugees camps like Ziro.
“I thank God, because I was so lucky when I reached here. I delivered a baby boy 2 days after receiving the 90,000 SSP from Oxfam. I used the money to buy essential supplies like soap, lotion, towels and paid the midwife. It came just in time. Although my husband remained behind [in Sudan], I was cared for”, explained Achol.
Context now
The civil war since April 2023 has resulted in at least 15,500 fatalities in Sudan with over 1,400 violent events targeting civilians. Sudan is one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory as 1 in every 8 internally displaced person worldwide, is considered to be Sudanese. Since the beginning of the conflict, more than 8.7 million people have fled their homes, including 4.6 million children. Currently, 6.7 million people have been displaced within Sudan, while 1.8 million have crossed borders into neighbouring countries such as South Sudan, Chad and Egypt.
With these outbursts of violence and displacements of people, people are unable to meet their basic needs, with health systems barely functional and, in some states, non-existent, as medical supplies and fuel are struggling to reach the hospitals.
According to the UN, at least 3.5 million children are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition this year, including over 700,000 who are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition and require specialised, uninterrupted life-saving treatment.
SRCS continues to implement a multifaceted response to the health and care situation amid the ongoing crisis which encompasses immediate medical aid, mental health support, and long-term strategies to rebuild the healthcare system. Collaborative efforts between SRCS, IFRC, the Ministry of Health and other local and international organisations are ongoing to effectively address the health needs of the affected population and to lay the groundwork for sustainable healthcare improvements in the post-conflict period. SRCS has also mobilised volunteers and resources to support with the cholera outbreaks which has affected various states in Sudan.
Large influxes of refugees and returnees displaced by the conflict have continued to arrive at the Renk and Jodah, at the border of Sudan and South Sudan. As of April 2024, over 1,500 people were arriving every day from Sudan to these transit centres – with over 15,000 people staying in two centres designed to host only 4,750 people. In Renk alone, more than 300 people were sharing one water tap. Oxfam, together with partners, continues to lead on water and sanitation activities, providing clean water and proper sanitation to over 90,000 people in the transit camps. Additionally, Oxfam has constructed emergency Communal Latrines and distributed Non-Food Item (NFI) kits to vulnerable households, including those with Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
Libya flooding: September 2023
The activation amount was £250,000, with British Red Cross and Islamic Relief being awarded £125,000 respectively. This response is ongoing, with British Red Cross’ programme ending in June 2024, and Islamic Relief’s expected to end in October 2024.
Context at the time of activation
On 10th September 2023, Storm Daniel hit north-eastern Libya, bringing high winds and sudden, heavy rainfall. The storm affected heavily populated areas with significant flooding; there was complete or partial destruction of houses, public institutions, power networks, communication networks, water systems and sewage systems. At the time of activation, more than 4,000 were reported to have died and over 10,000 were missing. At least 30,000 people were internally displaced, and the disaster left more than 883,900 people in need, including 300,000 children. About 80 percent of markets were destroyed, severely impacting local food availability in Derna.
There were considerable concerns about the potential for a health emergency as a substantial number of people were buried under debris, as well as extensive damage to water sources posing a significant risk of the transmission of waterborne diseases. In Derna, there were four operational primary healthcare centres and one functional hospital, all of which required urgent medical supplies, equipment, and medications.
The HEF Response
The British Red Cross's HEF funded programme aims to restore the Derna Primary Health Centre in Libya, supported by a £125,000 Scottish Government grant. This funding, part of a broader IFRC appeal, covers medical supplies and equipment. Once completed, approximately 10,000 people are expected to benefit from the facility.
Islamic Relief was also awarded £125,000 to provide emergency food kits to 1,620 flood-affected families. However, due to in-country challenges, they have now pivoted their response to provide children with educational and psychosocial support.
Next Steps
Both projects are due to finish in 2024, and the subsequent final reports and achievement figures to be included in the 2024-2025 Annual Report.
Context now
Nine months on, and the aftermath of the storm is still greatly affecting communities; livelihoods have been disrupted and are taking months to rebuild. Health facilities are still facing shortages of medical supplies, medical personnel, and hygiene supplies, and compromised water quality.
The storm is having a significant impact on the mental health of those affected; children who have survived and have lost parents are exhibiting severe psychological distress, and women who have been widowed are being left to manage households without means of generating an income.
Additionally, as a result of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, Libya is becoming a place of refuge for those fleeing the violence across the border, leading to a further strain on public services, and issues of social tension rising among the host communities and refugees.
Afghanistan earthquakes: October 2023
The activation amount was £250,000, with Christian Aid and SCIAF (project ongoing) being awarded £125,000 respectively.
Background to the Crisis
Context at the time of activation
On 7th October, Herat province in Afghanistan experienced a 6.4 earthquake, which was followed by another 6.3 earthquake on 11th October, and a further earthquake of 6.4 on 15th October. At the time of activation, it was reported that over 43,000 people were directly affected by the earthquakes, and over 3,300 homes were completed destroyed.
The earthquakes had a devastating impact on families who were already vulnerable, experiencing decades of conflict, insecurity, poverty, and displacement. The UN needs assessment following the earthquakes identified urgent requirements for water, sanitation, and hygiene services, emergency shelter, food, blankets, and winter clothing.
Christian Aid
Approach and activities
Christian Aid had an ongoing response in the affected areas in Herat, Afghanistan, and therefore, the HEF project’s aim was to support and coordinate the existing humanitarian operations. Given the extensive devastation, the project aimed to address the multiple complex needs of affected communities by providing flexible multi-purpose cash transfers. The assistance was designed based on guidance from the Afghanistan Cash Working Group[4], as well as lessons learned and experience from a recently completed project in Zindajan district.
The project aimed to focus on vulnerable groups in need such as women-headed households, widows, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, providing these individuals with a vital unconditional cash assistance tranche of $340. This amount was based on the needs of an average household with five members, for a period of two months. The project successfully delivered on its target and objectives of supporting 310 households affected by the earthquake and enabled them to meet their needs through the purchasing of blankets, warm clothing, and food, and health-related expenses.
Christian Aid also actively engaged with local communities during the project implementation by establishing a Project Administration Committee (PAC) comprising of local authorities, elders, persons with disabilities, and youths. Community consultation was instrumental in this context for information sharing about the design and implementation of the project within affected communities. The PAC also actively participated in disseminating key details about the project to the wider community, ensuring all were informed about the objectives, activities, and the feedback and complaints registration process and channels.
Key achievements: in numbers
Total people reached: 1,857
Total females reached: 1,051
Total males reached: 806
Total expenditure: £125,000
Added value and impact of HEF funding
HEF funding has been critical in improving Christian Aid’s emergency response and helping reach households affected by the earthquakes. With HEF funding, Christian Aid and its partner has been able to implement projects quickly and effectively, even in a challenging and volatile environment such as Afghanistan, meeting the urgent needs of communities by providing flexible cash assistance.
Scottish Government support also enabled Christian Aid’s partner to run cash assistance projects in collaboration with other donors and humanitarian groups; this teamwork and coordination ensured efficient use of resources and maximised collective impact to reach those in need. HEF funding also supported existing safeguarding and accountability measures among Christian Aid and partner staff, ensuring projects were transparent, honest, and compliant with humanitarian standards and effective assistance delivery, through the provision of technical training sessions and meetings with the partner staff.
Fazil’s story[5]
Fazil, a 72-year-old residing in Shakar Aab village of Gulran District, Herat Province, diagnosed with osteoporosis, found he was no longer able to continue as the primary provider for his large family. His plight worsened when the earthquake ravaged the region, leaving his home in ruins and his family exposed to the harsh realities of displacement.
The aftermath of the earthquake not only stripped Fazil Ahmad of his shelter but also took a toll on his mental well-being, leading to isolation from his community and loved ones. Through the HEF multi-purpose cash assistance, Fazil was able to plan to rebuild his home and secure his family's well-being though the winter season.
He commented: "Being able to provide for my family will greatly help ease the mental pressure I've been experiencing. It will give me a sense of security, and peace, and bring more joy into my life."
Ghulam’s story[6]
For Ghulam, a father of three, the aftermath of the earthquake brought about a harrowing struggle for survival. Displaced from their home, they faced dire living conditions and the daunting task of securing shelter and sustenance. The timely intervention of cash assistance provided Ghulam Nabi with the resources to secure temporary shelter and essential winter provisions for his family.
Gul’s story[7]
Gul a provider for his family in the rural village of Rabat Sargardan, faced devastation when his house and livelihood were destroyed by the earthquake. In the wake of the earthquake, Gul and his family struggling to secure shelter, sustenance, and essential resources. The upheaval disrupted not only their physical surroundings but also their hopes for a secure future. The timely cash assistance enabling them to access essential resources in a period of intense insecurity.
SCIAF
As a result of the severe damage and impact on infrastructure caused by the earthquakes, thousands of people lost their homes; there was an urgent need for shelter and non-food items such as warm clothes and blankets to support the affected communities.
SCIAF’s programme was designed to ensure that vulnerable earthquake-affected families were able to live in safe temporary or transitional accommodation and are ultimately protected from extreme weather conditions. SCIAF’s programme finished in July 2024, and the subsequent final reports and achievement figures will be included in the 2024-2025 Annual Report.
Context now
As of July 2024, field staff report that while to a large extent livelihood activities have restarted - underlying the resilience of such remote underserved communities - many still are living in makeshift tents and temporary shelters. Reconstruction efforts have fallen well short of requirements, and with winter particularly harsh in the Herat province the situation remaining precarious.
The impact of the earthquakes has exacerbated an already fragile context in Afghanistan; in 2024, an estimated 23.7 million people will require humanitarian assistance, which is more than half of the population.
Furthering the strain on resources, in November 2023, over 400,000 people were forced to return to Afghanistan when Pakistan declared that undocumented migrants must leave the country or face deportation. This influx of new arrivals has placed additional pressure on crucial healthcare services and access to food among already displaced communities.
Spotlight on: Localisation
Localisation in the humanitarian sector means empowering local responders in affected countries to lead and deliver humanitarian aid. Localisation is crucial for creating more effective, sustainable, and appropriate interventions for affected communities.
Local actors understand the cultural, social, and political context, ensuring aid is culturally sensitive and accepted, and with them already being on the ground, local organisations can respond swiftly to emergencies as they evolve.
Strengthening local capacity ensures communities are better prepared for future crises, reducing dependency on international aid. Additionally, local actors and agencies involve communities more and support increased participation, ensuring that programmes address the needs of those affected by the crisis.
Finally, local actors deliver aid and support much more cost-effectively, due to often lower operational costs, and familiarity with local markets and the economy.
Therefore, localisation enhances the efficiency and sustainability of humanitarian delivery by prioritising local actors' roles and supporting community resilience and self-sufficiency, both for immediate crises and in the long term.
Loss and Damage: December 2023
In Autumn 2023, the Scottish Government made a new and additional £1 million available to the HEF Panel for a pilot Loss and Damage funding round to deliver relevant responses in the global south. Loss and Damage refers to the destructive impacts of climate change that cannot be or have not been avoided by 'mitigation' (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) or 'adaptation' (adjusting to and building resilience against current and future climate change impacts).
Non-Economic Loss and Damage refers to loss and damage that is not easily quantifiable in economic terms, such as loss of life, degraded health, losses induced by human mobility, as well as loss or degradation of territory, cultural heritage, Indigenous knowledge, societal/cultural identity, biodiversity, and ecosystems.
The Scottish Government’s Loss and Damage work is part of the government’s ongoing commitment to climate justice. Climate justice is a people-centred, human rights-based approach that aims to share the benefits of equitable global development and ensure that the impacts of climate change do not disproportionately impact those who have done the least to contribute to it.
The Scottish Government welcomed the COP27 agreement to establish a global fund for loss and damage. But the scale of the need requires a myriad of responses, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Loss and Damage Fund is not likely to be operational until COP29. This was the first time that Loss and Damage funding has been dispersed through the HEF architecture as a route or proxy for delivering this type of funding.
The activation amount was £1 million, with Christian Aid, Oxfam, SCIAF, and Tearfund awarded £250,000 respectively.
Christian Aid - Ethiopia
Key achievements: in numbers
Total people reached: 40,377
Total females reached: 20,368
Total males reached: 20,009
Total expenditure: £250,000
Overview of Response
The communities in Dasenech, southwest Ethiopia, have experienced multiple climate-related hazards that have adversely affected lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, assets, and resources. The community Christian Aid targeted was identified because of the multifaceted hazards facing them: droughts and flooding, which increased human and animal disease outbreaks and exacerbated tensions and conflict around resource use and management due to climate-related changes. For example, close to 62,790 people were displaced by flooding, with animals being washed away, leading to a loss of livestock.
Girls are often married off early to support their families in restocking their animals and coping with recovery. Women suffer violence, lack essentials, and struggle to recover or own assets. Water infrastructure has also been damaged by floods and climate shocks, exacerbating communicable and water-borne diseases within the affected communities.
Unconditional cash of £140.63 was distributed to 470 families for two months, focusing on women, people with disabilities, new mothers, and the elderly who were most affected by the drought. The cash has improved living conditions for those receiving it, with the majority spending it on food, shelter, and medicines.
Christian Aid also provided microgrant to 15 community groups, each receiving £1,059 to support their local businesses as part of a survivor-led community response approach. Each group received the grant and was trained and supported in how best to utilise the funds for their choice of work. As a result, groups have set up or restarted their businesses and have been able to secure a source of regular income. For example, five groups were able to set up a fishery and supply fish to consumers in nearby towns in Ethiopia and Kenya. The other ten groups engaged in other income-generating activities such as selling food items, coffee, banana farming, and livestock farming.
Additionally, vulnerable female-headed households who lost their livestock were provided with five goats each, with the necessary vaccinations and treatments provided to the goats before distribution. Other livestock, such as cattle, sheep, and camels, were also distributed to families in need. The impact of this intervention can be seen in Ekules’ case study below.
Crucially, the rehabilitation of 11 non-functional boreholes benefited 3,557 people indirectly in the communities where water infrastructure was damaged. Wells were also treated with chlorine to ensure the water was safe to use. Alongside the rehabilitation of water schemes, hygiene promotion messages were disseminated through mass awareness sessions and house-to-house visits by trained health extension workers and community volunteers. Other awareness sessions were also delivered on loss and damage, as well as training for partner staff, women's groups, and local authorities on how to support communities with gender-transformative approaches.
Ekules’ story[8]
In the arid region of Dassenech, where list is a constant struggle against nature’s harshness, Ekules, a 24-year-old woman found herself trapped in a seemingly hopeless situation. Battling unpredictable weather conditions that unleashed scorching heat and choking dust, she yearned for a better future. It was amidst this adversarial environment that the Scottish Government-funded loss and damage project entered Ekules’ life. Prior to this intervention, she felt utterly dejected, uncertain of her destiny. However, the project bestowed upon her a newfound purpose and revived her hopes.
Ekules, through the project, was fortunate to receive five goats. Taking care of these animals became her primary responsibility, filling her days with a sense of pride and achievement. The goats not only provided her with a source of sustenance, but also granted her a glimmer of economic stability amid the daily struggles.
Mbaraka Fazal, Christian Aid’s interim Ethiopia Country Manager said of the Loss & Damage funding:
“The innovative approach of the Scottish Government in allocating Humanitarian Emergency Funding for practical action to respond to loss and damages experienced by the communities has enabled Christian Aid to respond in partnership to help the affected pastoralist communities address some of the negative impacts of climate change”.
Oxfam – Kenya
Key achievements: in numbers
Total people reached directly: 1590
Total females reached directly: 911
Total males reached directly: 679
Total expenditure: £250,000
Overview of Response
Multiplying and accumulating climate shocks have significantly impacted Kenya, with communities facing severe economic and non-economic loss and damage, and resource-related conflict. The arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya have been affected by prolonged climate induced drought and flash floods, as well as conflict.
Under this project, Oxfam restored several water systems, benefiting thousands of people within the affected communities. Infrastructure was repaired and new water points were created, along with training for local management.
However, the project didn't reach as many people as planned due to population movements during the crisis, with an estimated total reach of 22,622 people indirectly, around 2,694 fewer than planned.
To support a locally led response, Oxfam also supported a Survivor and Community Led Response (SCLR) approach, where community groups proposed projects to address the impacts of droughts and floods. Fifteen projects were selected, addressing various needs like sanitation, shelter, and livelihoods, reaching approximately 1,590 people (911 females, 679 males). Community selected projects included: the repair and construction of sanitation and education facilities; the provision of shelter for displaced community members; improved access to water through extension of water piping systems and tank installations; and investment in productive livelihood assets, such as goats and the building of livestock watering troughs.
Additionally, Oxfam strengthened peace committees working along the Isiolo-Samburu border to promote conflict resolution within the affected villages and regions. This directly involved 148 women and 122 men, recognising the importance of including women and youth in these initiatives as vital members of the community. The committees engaged in dialogue sessions, trainings, and a peace initiative to enhance conflict and resolution skills. The peace initiative involved representatives from both Isiolo and Samburu counties, community leaders, government officials, NGOs, and other stakeholders, as they came together to promote peaceful co-existence. The event attracted approximately 400 people from both counties.
The project aimed to address the under-representation of women and youth in peace committees, advocating for their inclusion to enhance comprehensive conflict resolution. The young Morans (warriors) who are mostly used as catalysts to instigate violence in the form of banditry or cattle raids played a key role in these dialogue sessions. Their involvement in the peace initiative was a demonstration of their willingness to support and sustain the peace interventions that were kickstarted through this Scottish Government funded project. Overall, the project focused on restoring infrastructure, promoting community ownership, fostering dialogue for peace, and empowering marginalised groups, with an approach that looked to longer-term sustainability and resilience. The funding also supported comprehensive mapping exercises to identify areas prone to conflict along the inter-county border lines that will be useful information beyond project implementation.
Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) - Zambia
Key achievements: in numbers
Total people reached directly: 1700
Total females reached directly: 964
Total males reached directly: 736
Total expenditure: £250,000
Overview of Response
The 2022/23 rainy season in Zambia was characterised by slow-onset rainfall. However, between mid-January and the end of February 2023, heavy rains caused extensive floods in rural and urban areas. The floods were among the worst on record and appeared at the peak of the lean season, when 1.95 million people in 48 out of 116 districts were estimated to require emergency humanitarian assistance.
The persistent heavy rains and associated flooding impacted on health facilities, water infrastructure, schools, roads, and bridges, and inhibited the ability of people accessing basic services such as health and education, as well as impeding access to markets and the delivery of aid to people in need. This disproportionately impacted those poorest and most marginalised – in particular, women and girls, with the situation being exacerbated by pre-existing gender-specific inequalities and discriminatory socio-cultural structures and norms.
SCIAF’s Scottish Government funded project targeted communities suffering from climate-associated loss and damage, through providing cash transfers, emergency food for families who required it, and sustainable organic agriculture training and vegetable seeds, to support those affected over the longer-term. Critical community infrastructure was also rehabilitated including a school and a health clinic. Additionally, thanks to Scottish Government funding, 280 children returned to school following construction of a new bridge.
SCIAF prioritised community involvement in the co-design of the interventions, to address climate-associated loss and damage. For example, community consultation tools were designed with an organisation called Women for Change, to ensure that a gendered lens was applied across the activities. These tools included questionnaires, art techniques illustrating loss and damage, and problem/solution trees. The communities then collectively discussed and agreed which aspects of loss and damage should be prioritised, with partner staff facilitating the activities and discussions. This approach ensured that the community’s needs were at the very heart of the interventions delivered.
Kashueka’s story[9]
Kashueka is a single mother with four children; her eldest is 13 and the youngest 4 years old. She has no support at home since the father of her children left. Before the project, her children could not go to school as they were so hungry – they did not have enough energy and were spending a lot of time looking for wild food to eat.
Kashueka is a small-scale farmer and grows all the crops for her family to eat. Her 2023 harvest failed due to drought. There is no piecemeal work nearby to earn money, so she has resorted to picking wild fruits and root vegetables. In 2024, her harvest also failed.
Kashueke received support from January until March. She received monthly food rations for her family which included: milled maize, cooking oil, and soya pieces. Kashueka has been able to feed her family and her children have returned to school.
“Before the project I faced a lot of challenges just to survive. We’ve really had no food over the past year. We started to receive support from SCIAF – and now my children are healthier. But I am worried about the future, I don’t know how I will feed my children. And I’m worried that they will stop going to school again due to hunger. Please continue providing support, so my children can go to school.”
Tearfund – Pakistan
Key achievements: in numbers
Total people reached directly: 6016
Total females reached directly: 2913
Total males reached directly: 3103
Total expenditure: £250,000
Overview of Response
The floods of 2022 in Pakistan were an unexpected climate shock, notable for its intensity, rapidness, and large-scale devastation across the country. The monsoon season in 2022 brought record-breaking rainfall, which was significantly higher than average; this deluge overwhelmed the rivers and drainage systems, resulting in flooding that affected over 33 million people.
Millions lost their homes, and thousands died, or were injured. Vast areas of farmland were inundated with water, leading to significant losses in crops and livestock, and this ultimately had a ripple effect on food security and the livelihoods of many farmers.
Tearfund’s project targeted twenty villages in rural communities that had experienced significant losses and damage in the floods and had received very little support in the intervening period. The local communities and government officials were consulted on their priority needs and, as a result, the project focused on restoring livelihoods and also on rehabilitating water sources that had been damaged.
The livelihoods of 615 women were restored through the provision of livestock and poultry. The women reported that the project has positively impacted their household nutrition, income and food security and given them hope for the future.
250 subsistence farmers received fertiliser for their wheat crop to address challenges with poor soil quality following the floods. The farmers reported an increase in crop production of between 12 and 25%.
Over 20,000ft water channels were rehabilitated and made fully functional as well as 50 wells belonging to smallholder farmers and 10 natural water ponds. These were vital interventions for the farmers because, post-flood, most had been reliant on buying water which had limited their agricultural activity, raised the cost of agricultural production, and in some cases led to farmers abandoning their agricultural livelihoods. It also meant farmers did not have money to meet other basic household needs and led to them adopting unsustainable coping mechanisms.
Restoring water for agriculture and livestock use increased the availability of water in the communities, minimised the risk of harassment or sexual violence to women and girls who bear the burden and responsibility for water carriage and reduced the time and energy needed to get water thereby freeing that time up for productive activities.
Tearfund prioritised a gendered approach to their programme design; they focused on responding to the gender issues in targeted communities by supporting women to resume their contribution to the wellbeing and economic stability of their households. Based on a survey of representative samples of the project’s direct female participants, 99% reported that the interventions restored/positively impacted their dignity while an average of 96% stated that their participation in the project had given them hope and confidence for an improved and sustainable future.
Ultimately, the loss and damage funding from the Scottish Government was critical in supporting communities affected by the long-lasting effects of the devastating Pakistan floods by providing access to restored water systems, and crucial livelihoods support, particularly to women, thereby upholding a gender-centric approach to humanitarian programming.
Haseena Mai
Haseena Mai is one of the women who has seen huge transformation in her family and her community as a result of the project. She had been extremely worried about food security ever since losing her husband, who was a labourer and the main breadwinner of her family. So, she was already very vulnerable when the floods hit.
Haseena’s life was shattered after the floods. She had to sell her livestock in order to survive, but then had no way to generate income to feed her family or to send them to school. Her family went hungry and were forced to live under the open sky. The Tearfund project provided her with two goats, 45 days’ feed for them, and the training and support she needed to rear them.
‘I have transformed the destiny of my entire family,’ says Haseena. ‘Goats are ideal for small-scale farmers like me. The extra milk from the goats is used to nourish my children and I plan to sell the male goats for a good profit to continue my goat-rearing business. What I have left will be spent on my children's education. Myself and my children are happy and thankful to have the opportunity to lead a better life.’
Jonathan Johnson Tearfund Pakistan Country Director:
"It has been really encouraging to see the Scottish Government being a global leader in addressing climate induced loss and damage. Their funding has been instrumental in Tearfund's efforts to help communities recover from the Pakistan floods through restoring lost livelihoods and providing essential water supplies which has enabled families and communities to rebuild their lives quickly and with confidence."
Malawi, food crisis: January 2024
The activation amount was £500,000, with Christian Aid and SCIAF being awarded £250,000 respectively.
Background to the Crisis
Context at the time of activation and now
Malawi has been experiencing a severe food crisis due to a combination of factors in late 2023, early 2024, such as adverse weather conditions, economic challenges, and natural disasters. The crisis has been significantly impacted by sporadic rainfall patterns across the country, attributed to El Niño conditions[10], and the lingering effects of Tropical Cyclone Freddy, which struck in early 2023 (see Cyclone Freddy activation section). These factors have drastically reduced agricultural output, particularly maize, a staple crop, leading to widespread food insecurity.
The economic situation in Malawi has compounded the food crisis that communities are experiencing; the country has been grappling with extremely high inflation, which reached 35% in January 2024. It has been estimated that that 4.4 million Malawians, which is 22 per cent of the entire population, have faced acute food insecurity between October 2023 and March 2024, across 28 districts.
Christian Aid
Approach and activities
Christian Aid’s Scottish Government funded project aimed to tackle the acute food crisis which was affecting thousands of households in the Mwanza District of Malawi during the lean season. Mwanza District was specifically chosen because of its limited access to donor support, despite significant needs within the population. Christian Aid’s programme was cash based; they chose to deliver £62.72 and disbursed these funds in a single payment over the course of February and March 2024. Crucially, the selection of those to receive funds prioritised 70% female-headed, child-headed, and disabled person headed households, who were most in need of support to combat food insecurity and disrupted livelihoods.
Key achievements: in numbers
Total people reached directly: 15,619
Total females reached directly: 11,062
Total males reached directly: 4,557
Total expenditure: £250,000
Added value and impact of HEF funding
Through flexible cash assistance, targeted communities have been able to make choices according to their needs of what to spend the money on. While the majority chose to purchase food, many also bought livestock, poultry, and some put the money towards school fees.
The funding has significantly boosted Christian Aid and their partner's impact in aiding targeted communities during the lean season, expanding their knowledge and networks in new district areas. The programme was executed in just two months, showcasing their ability to rapidly scale operations.
This success was achieved through ground collaboration with key stakeholders and humanitarian actors, ensuring effective and accountable support to the affected communities.
Malinda’s story[11]
While the project's primary objective was to mitigate the food crisis, the inclusion of cash assistance proved to be a transformative addition, offering a lifeline to vulnerable households facing multifaceted challenges. Malina’s account, shared during the post-distribution monitoring, illustrates the impact of this support. "The cash assistance we received," she recounted, "proved instrumental in addressing a myriad of pressing needs, for which I am profoundly grateful."
With the financial aid, she recounted how she was able to procure essential staples like maize and beans, ensuring food security for her family. Additionally, she utilised part of the funds to cover her child's secondary school fees, securing their educational future.
Notably, the flexibility of cash assistance extended beyond immediate necessities, as Malina was also able to afford crucial repairs for her wheelchair, enhancing her mobility and overall quality of life. This adaptability underscored the pivotal role of cash assistance in not only meeting basic needs but also in fostering resilience and empowerment within vulnerable communities.
Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF)
Approach and activities
SCIAF’s approach to the food crisis in Malawi was to deliver emergency cash transfers to the communities most affected and in need. SCIAF worked closely with the Malawi Government, who was implementing the “Lean Season Food Response” from October 2023 to March 2024. SCIAF’s programme complimented these efforts and selected areas of affected districts that had not been targeted by other organisations or donors. SCIAF successfully delivered cash transfers of £47 to 20,340 people in their target areas. The majority of those who received the cash transfers spent them on food items (96%), the remaining participants spent the funds on vital items to support their livelihoods that had been disrupted, clothing, and medicines.
Key achievements: in numbers
People reached directly: 20,340
Females reached directly: 9,967
Males reached directly: 10,373
Expenditure: £250,000
Added value and impact of HEF funding
The HEF funded project has made a positive impact to SCIAF and their partner’s capacity and visibility. The Scottish Government grant provided an opportunity for them and their partner to demonstrate its capabilities in delivering within a very short time period.
Some examples of the key positive impacts and added value of HEF funding include enhanced knowledge and skills in cash transfer programming; through this project the staff have gained a lot of knowledge and skills in coordinating and implementing cash transfer programmes, particularly dioceses that had not been affected by disasters in a long time.
Additionally, collaboration was a main impact of the project; there was excellent collaboration with a range of stakeholders in the affected areas throughout the lifetime of the response. For example, the Safeguarding Office for Karonga district and the staff from the Social Welfare Department conducted safeguarding sessions for those operating in the affected areas, which was invaluable for learning and improvement for SCIAF and their partner.
Eneck’s story[12]
A 53-year-old widow, Eneck Kanyenda, from Mwakanyamale village in Karonga District recounts to CADECOM (the partner organisation of SCIAF) her experience of dry spells and how she has been surviving with her children. Her husband died in 2019, leaving her with four children: three girls at primary school and one boy at secondary. Eneck Kanyenda has no proper shelter, and her main source of income is piece work (Ganyu) in the Hara Rice Scheme. With her earnings from this she buys food, pays school fees for the child who is in secondary school, and notebooks and school uniforms for the three girls in primary school. Thanks to the Scottish Government cash grant she received, Eneck was able to buy five tins of maize, relish, and cooking oil. With the remaining money, she bought some notebooks for her children.
“When we are hit by hunger, we survive through piece work in Hara Scheme. The Hara Rice Scheme does not pay us good money to buy enough food, but that is our only way out. When I was informed by the chairperson of Village Civil Protection Committee (VCPC) that the community had proposed my name on the list of beneficiaries of Karonga Diocese Food Crisis Relief Programme, I thought it was not true until I received a message on my phone from Mukuru that I got K100,000 from CADECOM. […] I am expecting that the food I bought will be finished mid-month of April and this time around, maize would have started drying up in the field.
I am very thankful to CADECOM of the Diocese of Karonga for saving my family from critical time of hunger. My children are now able to go to school freely, knowing that they will find food after school. They used to join me in piece work, but now they go to school. We don't have a proper shelter and my children sleep at my neighbours’ house and at the same time, we have been lacking food. This is a huge relief for me and my family”, she said.
South Sudan displacement & cross border response: February 2024
The activation amount was £250,000, with Christian Aid and Oxfam being awarded £125,000 respectively.
Background to the Crisis
Context at the time of activation and now
South Sudan's displacement crisis remains one of Africa’s most significant in recent years, and is the world’s fourth most neglected crisis, with 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees hosted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda, and with 2.2 million people internally displaced.
The prolonged displacement of the South Sudanese across the region (internally and across to bordering countries) requires immense humanitarian assistance and support for host countries, which will continue throughout 2024. An estimated 9 million people in South Sudan will experience critical humanitarian need in 2024.
Across the refugee hosting countries, the long-term economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ripple effects of the war in Ukraine include increased unemployment, poverty, inflation, rising fuel and food commodities prices, and fertiliser shortages. The accelerating climate crisis increasing drought and flooding are impacting South Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya with the declining economic situation also inducing displacement. These multiple challenges have contributed to the pendular movements of South Sudanese between countries of origin and asylum in the past year.
Amid a squeeze on resources fuelled by the reprioritisation of aid to other crises, the South Sudan refugee crisis is a classic example of a forgotten crisis. Internally displaced inside South Sudan and refugee communities across borders, primarily women and children, require support through food assistance, cash, and water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
Christian Aid
Approach and activities
Christian Aid’s project was delivered in the Wedweil Refugee Camp in Aweil West County, Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, in South Sudan. The location of the programme was selected because of the significant needs within this refugee population; specifically, those who had been displaced as a result of the ongoing Sudan crisis across the border. A needs assessment showed that in the affected area the majority of people interviewed expressed urgent need for food, water, and shelter. 71% of these people stated that they had planned to remain in their current location.
Christian Aid’s approach was to provide emergency cash of $25 to 4,000 people, targeting women, single headed-households, persons with disabilities and chronic illness, elderly persons, and orphans. For 400 of those with specific needs and at particular risk, Christian Aid provided an additional $25 top up of cash per person; this top up enabled them to tend to their acute personal needs and purchase the goods that they required in a safe and dignified way.
As well as providing cash, Christian Aid also reached 300 participants (200 females
and 100 males) with information regarding addressing harmful gender norms and preventing gender-based violence. Christian Aid adopted a gender-responsive approach to their work in South Sudan; using the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)’s trained community facilities, Christian Aid conducted a 3-day gender-based violence and prevention campaign. These were held with the local communities and provided women and men space to discuss harmful practices, for example, early marriage, physical violence against women and girls, sexual violence, and how to hold perpetrators to account. Additional dialogue sessions with men and community leaders were held on gender-based violence prevention and awareness, and how to combat this in their communities.
Key achievements: in numbers
People reached directly: 4,000
Females reached directly: 2,000
Males reached directly: 2,000
Expenditure: £125,034
Added value and impact of HEF funding
Through the HEF funding and support from the Scottish Government, Christian Aid and their partner were able to address the needs of 4,000 Sudanese refugees in the Wedwil settlement through multi-purpose cash assistance and awareness raising on key issues affecting women.
This support has been instrumental for Christian Aid and its partner, as primary responders in the Wedwil Refugee Settlement operations; the intervention has allowed Christian Aid to build upon its earlier Irish-funded acute crisis stream project, which was implemented in the last quarter of 2023. HEF funding has allowed crucial work to continue and aligns with Christian Aid’s humanitarian objective of addressing emerging crises that fall outside of usual mainstream funding. Additionally, this project has allowed Christian Aid to expand their reach and impact concerning the Sudan crisis in the wider region.
This response was a critical, lifesaving intervention that has enhanced resilience among crisis-affected communities and has made a lasting impact through training for community structures and capacity strengthening with partners for future humanitarian response interventions.
Shede’s story[13]
Shede (35) is now living at the Wedweil Refugee Camp with her youngest daughter (aged 6) and also her granddaughter (also 6), having escaped from El-Daein in Sudan a few months ago. The conflict has claimed the lives of members of her family, including two of her brothers. She travelled to South Sudan as she didn’t feel it was safe to stay after fighting broke out and homes were bombed, “we couldn’t eat, drink, or live.” She arrived at Wedweil refugee with just the clothes she was wearing and has had to leave everything she owned behind. She doesn’t have a phone, so it’s difficult for her to keep in contact with relatives. She’s grateful for the Scottish Government funding which has allowed her to buy food, including sorghum (a type of grain) and some goat meat, “thank you, you’ve encouraged me so much.”
Oxfam
Approach and activities
Oxfam’s rapid response project aimed to support South Sudanese refugees in the seven camps in Gambella, near the border of South Sudan. At the time of activation, there were 385,205 refugees sheltering there, predominantly women, children, and those with special needs.
A shortage of resources to repair various water systems, replace spare parts, and procure sufficient treatment chemicals in the camps put water services at high risk; this led to water shortages, creating a significant burden on both the refugees and the host community. Overcrowding at functional water taps has further disrupted the consistent delivery of safe water to the refugee population. Toilet coverage in the refugee camps is low, at only 25%. Consequently, women, girls, boys, and men often have to travel to nearby bushes for excretion, making them vulnerable to violence, including sexual and gender-based violence. In March 2023, a needs assessment found that only 10% of households in the area had access to functional latrines, which is well below the UNHCR standard of 86%. Many latrines and structures had also been damaged or vandalised.
Therefore, Oxfam’s project provided water, sanitation, and hygiene services to those who needed it most in the seven refugee camps in Gambella, through provision of safe, gender-sensitive and disability friendly sanitation facilities, hygiene kits containing soaps, menstrual products, and buckets, and improved access to safe water through repairing water distribution networks, water taps, and water treatment chemicals. As the lead WASH partner of UNHCR, Oxfam was responsible for the provision of WASH service provision across the 7 camps in Gambella. Oxfam leveraged its existing partnerships on the ground in the camps to ensure that there was a rapid response to urgently meet the needs of the affected population through this vital WASH programme.
Oxfam adopted an intersectional feminist approach as the project recognised the role of women and girls as the primary caretakers in affected households; by engaging influential community leaders in group discussions, awareness was raised about the heavy burden of unpaid care work on women and girls, including the dangers they face while collecting water due to unsafe access. Similarly, this feminist approach allowed the project to have cross-cutting impacts by effectively addressing the needs of women, girls, and the most vulnerable refugees in a challenging living environment and context. As a result of the project and prioritising these groups, 300 girls received menstrual hygiene kits, enabling them to have the resources they need, when so often during their menstrual cycles they hide away.
Key achievements: in numbers
Total people reached directly: 2,933
Total females reached directly: 2,933
Total people reached indirectly: 385,205
Total expenditure: £125,000
Added value and impact of HEF funding
The Scottish Government’s funding enabled the direct delivery of the project despite an acute funding shortfall. It also strengthened Oxfam’s ongoing efforts to provide lifesaving assistance to South Sudanese refugees across the seven camps in Gambella, improving water access and public health for the communities in greatest need, particularly the most vulnerable. This support helped raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis and bridged gaps in critical assistance, increasing capacity to support additional vulnerable populations with safe water supply and enhanced public health services in the refugee camps.
Organisationally, this short but impactful project provided valuable lessons for rapid response efforts. It highlighted the importance of strong and effective collaboration between various stakeholders within the organisation, including procurement, supply chain, logistics, program, and communication teams.
As a result of HEF funding, this crucial project has addressed the specific concerns and needs, particularly of women and girls, in the refugee communities, who were most affected by lack of water and appropriate sanitation services. Investing in WASH services in this way has been instrumental in ensuring the health, well-being, and rights of women and girls.
Spotlight on: cash programming
Cash delivery in humanitarian crises has numerous benefits, now making it a preferred method of supporting affected communities in many different contexts.
Cash provides choice and autonomy; recipients of cash are able to choose what they need most, whether it is food, medicine, or blankets for their families.
The use of cash provides flexibility too, as affected communities can adapt and change what they wish to spend the cash on, adjusting to their specific circumstances as needs evolve.
Cash boosts the local market and economy and can support local businesses, and can even create jobs in some local markets, supporting livelihoods for the community.
When implemented correctly, digital cash transfers can also provide more inclusivity, by reducing the need for individuals to travel long-distances to distribution points to receive support.
The use of cash delivery in a humanitarian setting is an effective and flexible means of supporting those affected by a variety of crises, providing dignity, autonomy, and economic recovery for participants, in a swift and versatile way.
Contact
Email: carrie.sweeney@gov.scot
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