Providing a Safe Haven for Refugees Fleeing Burundi Since April 2015, more than 100,000 people have fled Burundi, escaping political turmoil. Many people fear growing violence and continued unrest. With no resolution in sight, thousands of families and individuals began seeking refuge within Rwanda’s borders. ARC was called to action, and within days our Rwanda team led the construction of Mahama Refugee Camp, a new home for these Burundian refugees. … [Read more...] about Mahama Refugee Camp in Rwanda
Archives for May 2016
Building Livelihoods in Somalia
The Fisheries Project In Somalia, unemployment and a lack of livelihood opportunities are endemic. The nearly two decades of conflict in Somalia destroyed infrastructure, social systems, and created a generation of Somali youth who are struggling to find their place. Young people are the biggest demographic group in Somalia, representing the largest percentage of the population. The cycle of marginalized youth and violence is a threat to lasting peace in Somalia and the region, and to young people themselves. … [Read more...] about Building Livelihoods in Somalia
16 Days of Activism
Global Campaign to Fight Violence Against Women Every year starting on November 25, communities around the world stand up for women and girls during the 16 Days of Activism campaign. Our communities at ARC joined the fight against violence towards women and girls leading initiatives from Pakistan to South Sudan, all with the goal of creating safe spaces … [Read more...] about 16 Days of Activism
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Having proper sanitation systems, clean water to drink, and hygiene education make up the building blocks of successful and healthy communities. … [Read more...] about Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Health
Alight has gained a reputation worldwide for delivering best-of-class healthcare services, in even the toughest, most remote places. We go where other organizations don’t – like South and East Darfur, South Sudan, and Somalia – and not only provide healthcare, but do it with an eye toward improvement, always. We believe better health is achieved by asking patients what they want, making patient-centered care and compassion the core of how we approach our work. We believe that our care is only as strong as the system we build, ensuring that patients have access to a continuum of healthcare – from household to hospital. And we believe that humans are whole people. Our teams work with patients to provide solutions that not only meet their basic needs, but speak to their humanity, their hopes, and their dreams. … [Read more...] about Health
Shelter
For those who have fled their homes, having a safe, reliable roof overhead can be the first step to finding stability once again. Refugee camps and settlements are usually established as a short-term solution, but it’s often the case that the camps will be needed for a longer period of time than first thought. So our shelters evolve alongside our customer's needs, designing and updating structures that can last. Global Builders For years, Alight has provided shelter support around the world. From emergency tents and shelters in the days and weeks following a disaster to shelters that some families may live in for a decade or more, we've built shelters from Pakistan to Somalia, Haiti to South Sudan. During the 2015 influx of Burundian refugees into Rwanda, we led the construction of Mahama refugee camp. Acting quickly alongside other partners, we provided shelter to over 28,000 people. Since the initial phase of construction in Mahama, we have continued to work alongside the … [Read more...] about Shelter
Education
We believe that education is a basic human right. Education can provide people the information and skills they’ll need to survive in emergency situations. It can also spark opportunity, opening doors and lifting families. At every point, we're working to give people on the move the education they need to build a meaningful life. Public Health and Vital Information Health education and information about how to protect oneself can mean the difference between life and death. We provide health education in order to prevent the spread of disease in nearly every place that we work, which includes educating communities on how to prevent the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases or other infectious diseases like malaria. In 2014-2015, We managed an Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in Liberia during the epidemic in West Africa. Our activities included educating the community and school children about how to avoid situations that might put them at-risk of infection. Informal … [Read more...] about Education
Social Enterprise
At its core, a social enterprise is a business. But, it’s a business with a purpose. Created to further a social goal, the main reason social enterprises exist is for social impact with an eye toward financial viability. Social enterprises have the potential to offer alternative, sustainable solutions to typical models of aid, changing the narrative of what’s possible. … [Read more...] about Social Enterprise
Camp Management
Refugee camps are similar to regular old towns in many ways. They can be home to several thousand residents, and some are as big as large cities. With so many people living together, sometimes in close proximity, a group or structure to organize the camp and the camp residents is usually a necessity. … [Read more...] about Camp Management
Protection
Violence against women and girls is often the result of the breakdown of community structures and the trauma created by displacement. This kind of violence can be even more challenging for populations affected by armed conflict and humanitarian emergencies. Protection is the term we use to include all of the services we provide to prevent violence - and the support we offer when violence does occur. Preventing and Responding Prevention is just one step in the process of combatting gender-based violence, but it’s a step where we can involve the entire community in creating solutions. Through building community awareness and strengthening women’s own leadership and capacity to help others, we can make a big impact in reducing violence. Men can also make a huge difference in changing attitudes, so we engage men and boys to help them better understand the effects of violence and to give them the tools to speak up. We believe that we are strongest when working alongside communities, … [Read more...] about Protection