Lives can be saved if people in local communities know what to do before, during and after a disaster. This is why ACT Alliance starts with capacity training programs of local communities through an EU initiative.
ACT Alliance starts to train local organizations working with vulnerable communities in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Nepal, Uganda and South Sudan with the funding through the Capacity Building Programme of the EU Aid Volunteers initiative. The work is part of the 2014-2020 EU program bringing together organizations from different countries and strengthening the local capacity of disaster-affected communities.
“Power through local action is what we aim for. With the climate change, our world is facing stronger storms and erratic climate patterns. But a lot can be done to mitigate the impacts of disasters. If a community is prepared, it can cope”, says Eija Alajarva, Humanitarian manager for Finn Church Aid.
During 2016-2017, altogether nine member organizations of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of faith-based humanitarian and development organisations, will train altogether 64 local organisations working in eight disaster-prone countries.
The focus is to train local and regional trainers, as they will be able to spread their expertise well beyond the lifespan of the project. The training consists of approaches for reducing disaster risks, working on Emergency Preparedness and strengthening knowledge and understanding of Humanitarian Principles and Standards.
The ACT Alliance consortium partners are:
Europe: Christian Aid (UK), Dan Church Aid (Denmark), Diaconia ECCB (Czech Republic), Finn Church Aid (Finlnd) and ICCO (the Neatherlands)
South: RDRS (Bangladesh), Life With Dignity (Cambodia), Bureau Oecuménique d'Appui au Développement (Democratic Republic of Congo), Church of Uganda, Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus