BETTER WORLD BRIEFING

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POSTCARDS FROM OUR PARTNERS

BETTER WORLD BRIEFING 20

MILLION PEOPLE in Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Uganda are estimated to need food assistance through mid-2022.*

CAMBODIA

SOWING SEEDS OF SUCCESS

Years ago, Jras Thean (pictured above) had little agricultural knowledge and even less of a plan for his family or future. But attending workshops with Baptist World Aid’s Partner in Cambodia led to a holistic approach to caring for God’s creation.

‘This year we sold three buffalo for US$1,000,’ Jras said. ‘For me this was unbelievable, absolutely wonderful!’ But COVID-19 has cast a long shadow over communities like Jras’. Progress across many countries has been set back by 20 years. It’s a catastrophe for vulnerable communities finding a path out of poverty. Despite COVID’s threat, Jras and his family are grateful. ‘We try very hard to create our business for our family and save up for the expected shortfall of food,’ Jras said. ‘We cannot know when [COVID] will disappear or what will ‘Every little bit helps. We know God is with us,’ said our Christian partner supporting our India COVID response.

happen, so we attend more training.’ Jras’ efforts have meant the family has a more sustainable livelihood due to greater diversity in their livestock and crops, increased knowledge and skills, and a solid plan. In the face of uncertainty, Jras has a vision for his village to ‘come together hand-in-hand with my family to produce fruitful results and improve livelihoods.’

INDIA COMBATING COVID

Millions in India have contracted COVID and hundreds of thousands of people have died. Our Partners support 11 hospitals across north, central and north-east India, providing lifesaving resources including: oxygen tanks, ventilators, Personal Protective Equipment, infrared thermometers, lab kits, hospital beds and essential medical supplies to over 11,000 people. Newly established COVID wards enable treatment of patients, many of whom were already vulnerable and living in poverty.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA KEEPING HOSPITALS RUNNING

Health services buckled under pressure as the Delta variant hit communities across Papua New Guinea. Our Partners have helped three regional Baptist hospitals stay open and equipped to care for COVID positive patients in regional PNG, but the situation remains dire. They are currently working to educate communities and combat misinformation about vaccinations, with plans to establish training centres to equip Community Health Workers.

INDONESIA FOOD ON THE TABLE

Indonesia recorded close to 50,000 new COVID cases and more than 1,000 deaths daily in 2021. Our Partners run agricultural programs to improve skills in food production. So, when COVID hit, communities can harvest and store food and remain food secure.

UGANDA SCHOOLS REOPEN

The longest school shutdown in the world has ended in Uganda. Child labour, child marriage and exploitation have increased during

800,000

TONNES of textiles are sent to landfill yearly in Australia alone.*

LAUNDERING SYNTHETIC CLOTHES

releases mircoplastics equivalent to 50 billion plastic bottles into waterways each year.*

this time. Throughout lockdown, our Christian Partners supported children schooling from home, partnering with a local radio station to make lessons available on air, and providing printed materials to households. Children took part in child-led radio shows, raising awareness on child rights issues and COVID safe practices.

LEBANON LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

With crisis after crisis, and at least 74 percent of the population now living in poverty, our Christian Partners are helping address the rapid spread of the Delta variant of COVID; economic collapse, rising food and fuel prices, and water shortages; and vulnerable children ending up in child labour while access to schooling is difficult. ‘The [Partner] has been helping us with many things since the start of COVID, like food vouchers, winter and hygiene items!’ says Imane, a Syrian refugee in Lebanon, ‘If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know what would have happened to us.’

THE CLIMATE CHALLENGE

The climate crisis is threatening global efforts to eradicate poverty. Addressing the risks, as well as taking advantage of the opportunities to take climate action, reinforces sustainable development and supports poverty reduction.

CLOTHES AND THE CLIMATE

Most of the world’s clothing is produced in low to middle income countries who are the lowest contributors to the climate crisis but feel the greatest impacts. Our 2021 Ethical Fashion Report delivered fresh insight into the industry’s impact on the earth.

KENYA CARING FOR FAMILIES

Recently, successive ‘rainy seasons’ have delivered little rainfall and at least 2.1 million people in Kenya are severely food insecure due to drought. Rising fuel prices, currency depreciation, and inflation places families under pressure, forcing many to go without meals. Our Christian Partner provides food and livelihood support to families, as well as water to schools and villages, specifically helping the most vulnerable households— including people with disabilities and single mothers.

GLOBAL IMPACT

BANGLADESH ON THE FRONT LINE

Bangladesh’s low elevation, population density and weak infrastructure make it vulnerable to the climate crisis. Our Partners have faced this future for years, working on disaster preparedness and climate resilience among the communities they serve. Rising temperatures and diminishing rainfall have devastated crops. Our Partners are working with communities to support climatesmart technology and innovation. For more on this, see page six. (Planning for Planet Disaster).