In 2011, severe drought in Bamyan and Wardak provinces caused massive losses for vulnerable families subsisting off the land. Families lost as much as half their harvests and one quarter of their livestock.

Since that time, families have been struggling to recover from such substantial losses. Their household debts have risen sharply, borrowing money to pay for food and provisions, and forcing family members to leave for work in other cities or countries.

Medair’s nutrition programme helps a family of 10 survive life in a Somaliland camp.

by Ed Nash, Medair Field Communications Officer

Crowds of happy children greet me when I visit Muruqmal camp in Burao, Somaliland, energised and excited to see a visitor from Medair. Older children run out to meet me, but many of their younger siblings are obviously suffering from malnutrition. Babies and toddlers lie in their mothers’ arms, their exhausted eyes glazing over.

On 9 October 2012, Pictet announced that Medair has been chosen to receive support as part of the Prix Pictet Commission, with photographer Simon Norfolk being sent to Medair’s project in Afghanistan’s Central Highlands to capture images the world rarely sees.

Every year, the Prix Pictet Commission aims to draw attention to issues of sustainability with a focus on neglected communities that face social and environmental threats.

Medair expands its relief programme in Central Highlands to help struggling communities recover from drought, flooding, and poor access to water and sanitation.

Communities in the Central Highlands are extremely vulnerable to flooding, drought, and harsh weather conditions at the high altitudes. Furthermore, flash floods in 2010, severe drought in 2011, and a harsh winter in 2012 have pushed many families to the edge of their capacity to cope. Despite serious needs, few organisations are active in this remote area to provide families with assistance.

Medair sends teams to the Syrian border to bring urgent relief to families fleeing for their lives.

Conflict in Syria has erupted into a full-scale civil war endangering lives in almost every community in the country. Desperate families, caught in the crossfire, are leaving everything behind and fleeing into neighbouring countries.

More than 250,000 Syrians have already fled to Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Turkey. On 11 September 2012, UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards commented on the speed of the exodus, calling it “an extraordinary acceleration of this crisis.”

The Kuehne Foundation Helps Strengthen the Links in Medair’s Supply Chain

When you work for Medair in one of our remote field locations, there’s no such thing as an average day. Every new morning brings new challenges, decisions, and negotiations that require clear communication and cooperation in order to meet objectives and bring relief to struggling communities.

Medair returns to working with remote communities in Bamyan province, continuing its transformative water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) project. On 11 July, a determined Medair WASH team resumed work in Bamyan province after Medair re-opened its operations in the region in the wake of May’s abduction incident in Badakhshan province. The WASH team is building safe water points in remote villages and schools, constructing latrines, and improving awareness of health and hygiene.

Medair can confirm the safe release of the four staff members who were kidnapped on May 22nd in Afghanistan.

The Medair team was abducted when visiting relief nutrition, hygiene and health project sites in Badakhshan province. The team consisted of British national Helen Johnston, age 28, Kenyan national Moragwa Oirere, age 26, and two local Afghan staff.

Raises Awareness of the Desperate Plight of the South Sudanese People

On 9 July, South Sudan will celebrate its first anniversary. While it’s the newest country of the world, South Sudan is facing the oldest problems of the world: Food shortages, displacement, lack of access to basic services, and insecurity.