War-torn since more than 30 years, Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous and most violent countries in the world. Health workers continue to be victims of the conflict. Families are the first to live the consequences of this insecurity. To provide a solution, Terre des hommes has put in place a house visit concept of midwifes who assist families in need.

Today, Swiss Solidarity is re-launching the emergency “Famine in Africa” to tackle food insecurity, a major issue for many African countries. In South Sudan, 6 million people – half the country’s population – are affected, and the health and lives of children are in danger. Terre des hommes (Tdh) is helping families in Yei, a city cut off by armed forces, by sharing urban farming techniques.

After 9 months of fighting, the final stage of the Mosul offensive does not mean an end to the ordeal of the thousands of civilians still trapped in the city. No more than it puts a stop to the exodus of populations from Iraq. The coming military operations by the Iraqi and international forces against other bastions of the Islamic State group risk causing large-scale displacement in the areas where Terre des hommes intervenes, like at the Tal Jarabia camp. Our colleague Stephan Richard, currently in Iraq, reviews the situation.

Families are still fleeing

As temperatures steeply rise, thousands of displaced children are at risk of dehydration in Iraq. Displaced families that flee the western part of Mosul spend hours on the trucks in the desert to get to the Scorpion Junction, a muster point for newly displaced from Mosul. Terre des hommes’ (Tdh) emergency team distributes them safe drinking water every day.

Terre des hommes (Tdh) is the first humanitarian organisation to bring emergency aid in the west of Mosul. We support children and their families displaced due to the fighting between Iraqi Security Forces and ISIS.

Emergency distribution took place last week in the informal camp of Tal Jarabia, an hour away from Mosul. Children and their families have found refuge there after the fighting to gain ground from ISIS has started. We are the first organisation to work in this newly regained area in the west of Mosul.