Disaster Risk Management
The Asia and Pacific region is considered as most disaster-prone region in the world. Over the past decades, the region has witnessed several of the most devastating disasters recorded in history. With these events, the people, community and environment absorb the impact of losing lives, livelihood and property. As more people and communities are becoming vulnerable to disasters, the challenges and opportunities to coordinate and mobilize risk management remain relevant to achieve greater impact on the efforts of rebuilding lives and communities.
As a community-based, Christian and ecumenical movement, it is recognized that each YMCA is called to build a human community of justice with love, peace and reconciliation for the fullness of life for all creation. The difficulties, struggles and crises in communities affected by disasters and human crises present an opportunity for the movement to actualize its mission of holistic development that strives for spiritual, intellectual and physical well-being of individuals and wholeness of communities and of re-building self-determination and re-establishing self-reliance.
The humanitarian work/engagement by YMCA in a sense affirms the movement’s mandate to commit to work in solidarity with the poor, dispossessed, uprooted people, oppressed racial and ethnic minorities, the aged, the youth, the women and peoples with special needs. Moreover this nature of work provides an opportunity for the movement to explore our social relevance particularly in addressing poverty stricken communities, safety of women and children and their specific needs, youth empowerment, social economy and care for environment. Finally, this engagement is a chance to strengthen our commitment to become institutionally viable by giving importance to good governance structures with in-built accountability systems that are transparent to all stakeholders involved.
The region shall remain firm in its goal of delivering efficient, effective and appropriate disaster responses that adheres to the humanitarian principles of saving lives, alleviating suffering and maintaining human dignity.
Appeal for support to displaced families affected by the floods in Pakistan
Last Updated (Wednesday, 31 August 2022 17:23)
To: National General Secretaries, National Presidents, APAY Board and Related Partners
Dear Colleagues,
The Lahore YMCA in Pakistan appeals for donation for those affected and displaced families by the flood.
Pakistan is facing the worst humanitarian disaster since the floods in 2010. There has been urban flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad and some other cities like Rawalpindi while the flash floods continue to play havoc in Balochistan for many weeks. The province of Balochistan, which is arid and barren region has received 500 percent more rain than the average it did every year. There have been reports of glacier melting and unusual increased rainfall in upper part of the country.
Over 30 million people have been directly affected and displaced with more than 10 million people becoming homeless and displaced. Their houses have been washed away. More than 200 bridges and 40 dams have collapsed. Over 300 kilometres of metalled roads and highways have been damaged. In cities the roads are in dilapidated condition and sewerage system has collapsed. More than 800k livestock have been killed.
The Lahore YMCA is working with Social Welfare Department of Punjab government and other NGOs to support the most vulnerable in the crisis, which are children and women. The immediate needs that will be distributed includes clean drinking water, food, clothes and tents for temporarily shelter.
Your support during this difficult time is deeply appreciated. We will provide you with more details as soon as we receive them from Lahore YMCA. All funds can be transmitted to the following bank account:
Read more: Appeal for support to displaced families affected by the floods in Pakistan
An unexpected fire broke out at the YMCA International Centre in Sri Lanka; buildings are partially damaged!
Last Updated (Tuesday, 02 August 2022 11:34)
A fire broke out in the early morning on the 23rd of July at the YMCA International Center in Kurana, Katunayake. Many from the global YMCA community and APAY reached out to us with solidarity and support. We are eternally grateful to all in the greater YMCA family for their camaraderie and concern during this time.
While the fire completely consumed a small auto-repair shop adjoining the YIC, the same fire, by the providence of God Almighty, left the YIC mostly untouched. By the mercy of our Divine Father, there were no casualties nor injuries in the incident in either of the buildings. The flames consumed the façade of the building, which at this point mainly was cladding. The fire destroyed one bedroom and the building’s elevator, while some damage was inflicted on five more bedrooms. At present, the cause of the fire remains unknown, but Police investigations are ongoing.
The YIC is in a widely renowned location for the global YMCA community. Hence since 2014, the entire premises have been on lease to Kelaniya Tourist Hotel Pvt Ltd (Hotel Clarion). While we will proactively oversee the reconstruction effort, no fiscal obligation will devolve to us, which is particularly opportune given the turbulent economic situation in the country. Of course, we have been in litigation with Hotel Clarion for a few years due to persistent defaults in paying rentals. The case was settled in March this year by new terms of engagement; however, the hotel company was once more in default of its obligation when the fire broke out.
The National Council of the YMCAs of Sri Lanka expresses its profound and lasting gratitude to the global fraternity of YMCA brothers and sisters who have solidarity with us, including a few who were physically present to offer their support during this time. The Almighty's guidance has allowed us to create a better and brighter National YMCA movement in a spirit of unity.
Appeal for support to deliver emergency relief to the affected families in Leyte, Philippines
Last Updated (Tuesday, 03 May 2022 16:49)
22nd April 2022
To: National General Secretaries, National Presidents, APAY Board and Related Partners
Re: Appeal for support to deliver emergency relief to the affected families in Leyte, Philippines
Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of the Leyte YMCA in Visayas, the YMCA of the Philippines appeals for the generosity of the YMCA family and members to support the delivery of emergency to those affected by Typhoon Megi (Agaton).
The passage of Tropical Storm Megi (locally known as Typhoon Agaton) on April 10-11, 2022 over Eastern Visayas Region in the Philippines caused floods and landslides, which resulted in casualties and damage across the region and the neighboring areas. As of recent report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), 178 people have died (156 of which in Eastern Visayas), 111 are missing and 8 others have been injured. There are approximately 307,500 people displaced, while more than 2 million have been affected. About 11,300 houses, 58 road sections and eight bridges have been damaged or destroyed. In Baybay (Leyte), the city reported a total of 101 deaths, 102 left missing, and 103 injured, with a landslide covering an entire barangay (village) of 210 households in mud. In Pilar Village, Abuyog (also in Leyte), 26 people were killed, 96 were injured, 150 left missing, and 80 percent of houses were buried. Rescue and retrieval efforts are still being conducted by the concerned governments agencies, as the family victims, many of whom are children, women and aged are jampacked in evacuation centers still uncertain as to when they will be relocated to a permanent shelter. The YMCA of Leyte will distribute blankets, sleeping mats, hygiene and health kits to around 400 families. Likewise, food packs and clothings will also be distributed to three (3) evacuation centers.
Disaster Relief Work by YMCA of Timor Leste
Last Updated (Wednesday, 21 July 2021 18:51)
Disaster Relief Work by YMCA of Timor Leste
Republica Democratica de Timor Leste, or East Timor, has a long history involving struggles for freedom for four hundred and seventy-four years.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to colonize Timor Leste in 1515 and maintained their control until 1975.
YMCA Savar organized regular support for an education program for the victims of the Rana Plaza tragedy
Last Updated (Wednesday, 24 March 2021 15:40)
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| Savar YMCA’s President Mr. Tapan Thomas Rozario hand over the souvenir to the beneficiaries | |
Rana Plaza Stipend: Savar Young Men’s Christian Association is a universal volunteerism movement organization. So we give particular importance to Man & Woman and ensure to join Youth participants in our Society and try to established humanitarian society according to our Christian ideals with love, justice, and peace.
We know Rana Plaza Tragedy that happened on 24 April 2013, the Rana Plaza building's collapse in Savar, Dhaka. This housed five garment factories and killed at least 1,132 people, and injured more than 2500 people.
So we Savar YMCA took the immediate initiative to help some families who lost their parents or earners with Y's Men Club Dhaka Central's support. Then we collect data about ten needy families, and we start to financial support from 4 October 2013 and still now. We support ten Children for their study purpose because, after the tragedy, they couldn't continue their school. So we thought if they continue their study one day, they will overcome their present situations. We decided to give them a minimal 1000 (one thousand) taka per month per children's. Every six months, we arrange a Stipend program to get their money together 6.000 (six thousand) taka because they come from different parts of Bangladesh and remote areas. We place this program after six months for their favorableness. We give them Eid gifts also.
Their families are so happy to get this support, and children’s are continuing their study nicely. Many of them are studying in college now and doing well. We Savar YMCA will always stand beside them.
The name of the beneficiary Children’s are below:
1. Razia Sultana
2. Mehidi Hasan
3. Sabbir Rahman
4. Rimi Salma Akter
5. Badal Hossin Bellal
6. Roni Hossin
7. Riya Akter
8. Sumiya Akter
9. Bristi Akter
10. Md. Tarek
Prepared by- Ronel Francis Costa, General Secretary, Savar YMCA.
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