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Villa, a Haitian woman given a new earthquake-proof home by KORAL, and her family.
Villa, a Haitian woman given a new earthquake-proof home by KORAL, and her family.

Displacement Focus for Christian Aid Week

Monday April 30 2018

The focus for this year’s Christian Aid Week is on people who are displaced within their own countries, the organisation has announced.

More than 40 million people are internally displaced by conflict, accounting for approximately two thirds of those who find themselves forced from their homes.  A further 24 million were displaced by disasters in 2016 alone. Yet, because they haven’t crossed a border, the general public rarely hear about them.

Despite the huge number of people affected, situations of internal displacement receive almost no political attention, funding or support. 

To mark their annual fundraising week, Christian Aid is sharing stories from partner organisation KORAL in Haiti, which builds homes which are strong enough to cope with the country’s frequent natural disasters.

The head of Christian Aid Scotland, Sally Foster-Fulton, says: “Seven years on from the devastating earthquake in Port-au-Prince in 2010, an estimated 38,000 people are still displaced with many living in precarious houses or in temporary shelter.

“Hurricane Matthew destroyed up to 90% of some areas in 2016.  And while Haiti narrowly escaped disaster when Hurricane Irma swept across the Caribbean in 2017, it’s only a matter of time before the next hurricane strikes.  Despite the resilience and strength of its inhabitants, the country has struggled to recover, people lose their dwellings and livelihoods, making it increasingly hard for them to rebuild. 

“Ahead of Hurricane Matthew, KORAL were able to warn local communities, helping evacuate around 5,000 families and saving many lives. In the immediate aftermath, Christian Aid and KORAL distributed urgently-needed shelter kits, hygiene kits, food seeds and cash transfers. We also continue to build disaster-resistant homes to provide people safe, secure places to live.

“As we gather together this Christian Aid Week, we’ll be standing for justice with people like Vilia and her neighbours and with the many displaced people around the world.”

The New Chief Executive of Christian Aid, Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, said: “Together, we are united in our belief that the world can and must be changed. We are each called to love our neighbours, like Vilia, wildly, wholeheartedly and sacrificially.

“Internally displaced people are rarely at the forefront of the news.  At Christian Aid we believe that everyone counts, and we will continue to fight alongside them for justice.“

Christian Aid Week takes place from May 13-19. For resources visit www.christianaid.org.uk/christian-aid-week


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