A crisis can strike suddenly, without warning. Natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, droughts and earthquakes can devastate communities, and man-made crises of conflict, social and political unrest can destabilise entire nations.
In times of crisis, local churches are uniquely placed to reach out to children in need and their families. Compassion’s partnerships with local churches mean we can respond to urgent needs with a strong understanding of who we are helping.
We will always strive to provide up-to-date information when crises occur.
Please pray for the many children and their families who are affected by crises around the world.
A crisis can strike suddenly, without warning. Natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, droughts and earthquakes can devastate communities, and man-made crises of conflict, social and political unrest can destabilise entire nations.
In times of crisis, local churches are uniquely placed to reach out to children in need and their families. Compassion’s partnerships with local churches mean we can respond to urgent needs with a strong understanding of who we are helping.
We will always strive to provide up-to-date information when crises occur. Please pray for the many children and their families who are affected by crises around the world.
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Heavy Rains: Uganda (Crisis Update) 22 Sep, 2017
Heavy rains continue in Uganda. Top soils have been washed away, affecting agriculture. The prime minister visited Rukiga District and committed to providing food support. A technical team from the diocese assessed the extent of the damage to the gravity water system, and community members have offered to provide the manual labor and gravel to make repairs as long as the diocese can offer technical support.
One local church partner and 66 Compassion assisted children have been affected.
The number of children affected is increasing, but no further details are currently available. They are in need of food.
Please continue to pray for protection and provision for our children in the face of these rains.
Compassion Uganda will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Second Earthquake: Mexico (Crisis Update) 22 Sep, 2017
Building damage from Tuesday’s earthquake has been devastating in Mexico City and surrounding states. The Compassion Mexico field office remains closed as they wait for confirmation from the civil protection authority that it is safe. A few staff are working from home as they are able, but normal operations are temporarily stopped. Many are still recovering from the stress of the event and are spending time with their families or volunteering with relief efforts.
Four local church partners have been affected.
These churches are waiting for civil protection to assess the safety of their facilities before resuming program. There have been no reports of affected children so far, but assessment remains ongoing.
Please pray for: - Full recovery for the communities where our children and churches live and serve - Comfort and peace for our field staff as they process this disaster - Grace and patience as staff and local church partners wait for their buildings to be assessed
Compassion Mexico will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Flooding: Colombia (Crisis Update) 22 Sep, 2017
Heavy rains continue in Sucre, Colombia, and childrens homes are being affected by the humidity.
Nine Compassion assisted children have been affected.
The local church has provided groceries and medicine for children and their families.
Please pray for provision and encouragement for those affected.
Compassion Colombia will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Second Earthquake: Mexico 21 Sep, 2017
A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck central Mexico yesterday afternoon. Mexico City and the neighbouring state of Puebla experienced the most damage. Several buildings collapsed in the capital. Transportation, communications and electricity were cut off for a few hours following the quake. People remain uneasy as aftershocks continue.
Compassion impact: - We do not have any information about the impact to Compassion assisted children and our local church partners at this time. - An estimated 30 church partners are located in the most affected areas. Compassion Mexico field staff are making contact with our church partners in Mexico City, Puebla, Veracruz, Tlaxcala and surrounding areas. - The Compassion Mexico field office was not damaged and staff are safe. They left the building at the time of the quake and were released to go home. They have closed the office until the civil protection authority can assess the building’s safety, which will probably take a couple of days.
Please pray for: - The safety of our children and their families in the affected areas - Continued safety and peace for Compassion staff and their families - Church partners in the affected areas - Wisdom for local authorities as they manage response and relief efforts - Rescue teams who are searching through the rubble - People who are missing and their families as they search
Compassion Mexico will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Heavy Rains: Colombia (Crisis Update) 21 Sep, 2017
Our local church partners have finished assessing the impact of this season's heavy rains on children in Montería, Colombia.
A total of 68 Compassion assisted children have been affected.
Compassion Colombia has provided support to these families, enabling those with damaged homes to make repairs.
Thank you for praying for the children affected by these rains.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Hurricane Irma: Dominican Republic (Crisis Update) 21 Sep, 2017
The situation in the Dominican Republic has stabilised following Hurricane Irma. Assessments of the impact to Compassion assisted children and our local church partners has been completed.
Three local church partners and 314 Compassion assisted children were affected by Hurricane Irma.
Compassion Dominican Republic field staff are still gathering information to submit a funding request, which may be delayed due to another storm threatening the area.
Thank you for your prayers in the wake of Hurricane Irma. Please continue to pray for our staff and children as they face the threat of another hurricane.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Heavy Rains in Urabá: Colombia 21 Sep, 2017
On Saturday 16 September 2017, a heavy downpour fell for four hours in the Urabá Region of Colombia, mostly affecting the municipality of Turbo on the northern coast. Several homes were flooded.
One of our local church partners, CO0711 was affected. The rain caused a circuit at the church building to short, which will require some electrical maintenance.
Ten Compassion assisted children have been affected.
Our local church partner has been visiting the affected children to ensure they have the support they need.
Please pray for provision for the children and families affected by these rains.
Compassion Colombia will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Heavy Rains: Uganda 21 Sep, 2017
Heavy rains in southwestern Uganda have led to landslides in Rukiga District. Many people’s homes and livelihood have been affected. Roads have been impassable, and the electric power supply is unstable. Community spring wells were destroyed, and the gravity water system that serves UG0717 was impacted.
A total of 66 Compassion assisted children have been affected.
Rains continue to fall and more children are expected to be affected.
Local church staff have visited children to assess the damage to their property. The Compassion Uganda field office is providing funding, so church partners can purchase food (rice, beans and maize flour), as well as other relief items, such as blankets, mattresses and utensils for cooking and eating.
Please pray for safety and provision for the children and families served by UG0717, as well as the community around them.
Compassion Uganda will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Earthquake: Mexico (Crisis Update) 19 Sep, 2017
The 8.2 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Mexico two weeks ago mostly affected two clusters of our local church partners: one around Tonalá City (Chiapas) and the other in Juchitán (Oaxaca). In areas where clean water is not readily available, our local church partners have established agreements with local water purification plants to provide their communities with clean water.
Eighteen local church partners and 717 Compassion assisted children have been affected, including one who was injured and also lost a caregiver and a sibling.
Our local church partners are continuing to assess the impact to children.
Many churches who were not damaged are serving as shelters for people to sleep at night. At least five churches are supplying warm meals every day for children and their families. Other churches are delivering groceries to affected families.
Compassion Mexico Partnership facilitators (PFs) have supported the churches in these clusters by leading communications and managing relationships during this difficult time. PFs from other clusters are also helping coordinate and distribute groceries and other relief supplies.
Compassion Mexico’s priority is to provide clean water, food and shelter. There is also a great need for psychological support due to the trauma of the earthquake.
Please pray for: - Healing and comfort for the child who was injured and lost family members - Safety and peace for Compassion Mexico field staff, our local church partners, children and their families during continued aftershocks - Provision and comfort for our local church partner workers who lost their homes and belongings - Strength and wisdom for the disaster response team - Opportunity for damaged churches to resume programming for the children
Compassion Mexico will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Flooding: Togo (Crisis Update) 19 Sep, 2017
Compassion assisted children and their families affected by the flooding in Togo in late July are still recovering.
A total of 31 Compassion assisted children and one local church partner have been affected.
Thank you for your prayers over this situation. Please continue to pray for provision for those affected by this flooding.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Hurricane Irma: Dominican Republic (Crisis Update) 16 Sep, 2017
Compassion staff in the Dominican Republic have been working alongside church partners to assess the damage from Hurricane Irma. The vast majority of children who evacuated to shelters have returned home.
Three local church partners and 304 Compassion assisted children have been affected.
Our local church partners provided for the basic needs of families while they were staying in evacuation shelters through reimbursable disaster funds.They are now assessing property damage.
The Compassion Dominican Republic field office estimates that 242 Compassion assisted children need basic relief support and around 68 need help with rehabilitation.
Please pray for provision for the children in our program and their families as they recover.
The Compassion office in the Dominican Republic will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Earthquake: Guatemala (Crisis Update) 15 Sep, 2017
Heavy rains have caused some delays in assessing the impact of last week’s earthquake on our Guatemalan church partners and Compassion assisted children.
Two church partners and 11 Compassion assisted children have been affected.
Local church partners are following up with the children as quickly as they can.
Please pray that church partners can locate all children soon to ensure their wellbeing.
Compassion Guatemala will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Earthquake: Mexico (Crisis Update) 15 Sep, 2017
Oaxaca and Chiapas states were most affected by last week’s earthquake in Mexico. Around 100 people died. Thankfully, we have not received reports of any deaths among Compassion assisted children so far. Compassion Mexico staff and our local church partners continue to assess the impact.
Fifteen church partners and 52 Compassion assisted children have been affected.
Relief funds have been used to support these families with groceries, clean water and shelter as needed. Several homes of our local church partner staff were destroyed, but they are still working to visit, comfort and pray with children and their families.
The Compassion Mexico field office is preparing a response plan to address long-term needs, including trauma counselling, provisional shelter, reconstruction and activities to help restart the economies in affected communities where Compassion assisted children live.
Please pray for: - Continued safety among our children - Church partner staff as they seek to help children and their families while also recovering and dealing with loss themselves - Wisdom as Compassion Mexico field office leadership work on long-term response plans - Provision as families repair and rebuild their homes
Compassion Mexico will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Earthquake: Guatemala (Crisis Update) 14 Sep, 2017
Guatemala continues to recover from last week’s earthquake. Some homes were destroyed due to the quality of materials and construction. The Compassion Guatemala field office is still working to assess the impact to our church partners and children, especially near the border with Mexico.
One local church partner and 11 Compassion assisted children have been affected.
Our local church partners are checking on each child to determine the needs of their families.
Please pray for the safety of our children in this area.
Compassion Guatemala will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Hurricane Franklin: Mexico (Crisis Update) 12 Sep, 2017
The Compassion assisted children affected by Hurricane Franklin in August have returned home.
Local church partner leadership is seeking government grants to help families repair the damage. The Compassion Mexico field office also plans to request support to rebuild homes in the most devastated areas.
Thank you for your prayers over this situation.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Hurricane Irma: Haiti (Crisis Update) 12 Sep, 2017
The sun was shining in Haiti today, and they have begun cleaning up after Hurricane Irma.
All of our church partners have resumed at least limited activities and Compassion assisted children have returned home.
A total of 3145 Compassion assisted children and nine church partners have been affected. Unfortunately, one child lost a caregiver due to the disaster.
Compassion Haiti leadership have taken measures to provide affected children with basic assistance to meet their immediate and long term needs. They have provided food and hygiene kits to over 1000 children in the most affected communities.
Please pray that the child whose caregiver died will receive comfort and support as they grieve.
Compassion Haiti will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Flooding and Landslides: Bangladesh (Crisis Update) 12 Sep, 2017
Compassion Bangladesh staff from the field office and the child development centres continue to assess the impact of heavy rains that fell over the last three months.
Flooding and landslides have caused widespread destruction, leaving many farmers without the ability to earn an income, which means they cannot rebuild their homes. Safety continues to be a concern for our children whose homes were damaged or destroyed.
A total of 1781 Compassion assisted children and 23 child development centres have been affected.
Please pray for provision and protection for our children, as well as opportunities for their families to regain livelihood.
Compassion Bangladesh will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Earthquake: Guatemala (Crisis Update) 12 Sep, 2017
The field office in Guatemala is making contact with local church partners, following last week’s earthquake.
Several of our local church partners have reported no impact to their building or the children they work with.
Please pray for our church partners in Guatemala as they provide emotional support to children who felt the earthquake.
Compassion Guatemala will keep us updated as more information becomes available
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Hurricane Irma: Dominican Republic (Crisis Update) 12 Sep, 2017
Two teams of Compassion staff from the Dominican Republic travelled to affected areas in their country over the weekend.
The actual number of Compassion assisted children and their families who evacuated to shelters and other homes was 255. Partnership facilitators are working with local church partners to assess the impact on their clusters. They estimate just over 200 families will need assistance with basic supplies.
Local church partners are providing assistance to families as they assess their needs.
Please continue to pray for health and safety among our children in this area.
Our Compassion office in the Dominican Republic will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Earthquake: Guatemala 09 Sep, 2017
Western areas of Guatemala have been impacted by a strong earthquake that struck neighboring Mexico late last night. Preliminary reports by the Guatemala National Coordination for Disaster Reduction indicate several structures have been damaged, including homes.
The most affected areas include San Marcos, Suchitepéquez, Huehuetenango, and Quetzaltenango. A tsunami alert has been issued for the Pacific coast.
The Compassion Guatemala field office was not damaged and is operating normally.
There is no information about the impact to Compassion assisted children and our local church partners.
Our local church partners have activated their emergency plans, and Compassion Guatemala staff are connecting with them to assess any impact to our children.
Please pray for the safety of our children and church partners in this area.
Compassion Guatemala will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Earthquake: Mexico 09 Sep, 2017
An 8.2 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Chiapas, Mexico caused major disruption in the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca late last night. There are reports of serious damage to roads, homes and other buildings in those areas. There have been over 150 aftershocks so far.
Tremors were felt as far away as Mexico City, but only a few buildings suffered minor damage in the central part of the country. Schools in 11 states have cancelled their activities until official authorities can inspect their buildings for safety. There is no ground transportation and electricity and communications are unstable in the most affected areas. Local authorities have civil protection protocols in place to help support those in the affected areas.
Compassion Impact: - There is currently no information about the impact on Compassion assisted children and our local church partners. - The Compassion Mexico field office was not damaged and is operating normally. All staff have been accounted for.
- There are at least 50 local church partners in Chiapas and Oaxaca. Compassion Mexico staff are working to assess impact to our church partners and children. - Compassion Mexico is planning to use reimbursable disaster funding to support affected children. Their highest priority right now is to establish communication with our church partners and provide assistance in the form of medical care, shelter, clean water, food and counselling as needed.Please pray: - For the safety of our children throughout Mexico and especially in Chiapas and Oaxaca - For open communication - For clear and unobstructed transportation routes and means - For the ability to quickly assess and respond to the needs of children and their families - That church partner staff and their families would remain safe as they walk to the affected communities where children live - That aftershocks would not cause further damage or hinder rescue efforts
Compassion Mexico will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Hurricane Irma: Haiti 09 Sep, 2017
Yesterday, Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, traveled across the northern part of Haiti. The regions most affected are the north, northeast, northwest, Artibonite and the central plateau. These areas experienced heavy rains and flooding. Some had roofs destroyed, as well as farms and cattle swept away by flooding. Several sections of main road were also destroyed, including an ancient bridge that connected Haiti to the Dominican Republic. Rains are forecasted to continue through the weekend.
Early this morning, Compassion Haiti staff and church partners began working to contact each Compassion assisted child and to assess the impact and their needs. The impact numbers below are those reported so far. These numbers could increase as assessment continues.
- Three local church partners have been affected; another 12 are estimated to have minor damage.
- 641 Compassion assisted children have been affected.
- Disaster response teams established temporary shelters, accommodating more than 267 children in the affected regions. Each of our local church partners have arranged to provide those affected with food, water and medicine.
Please pray for health, safety, strength and provision for our church partners and children in the affected areas.
Compassion Haiti will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Earthquake: Mexico (Crisis Update) 09 Sep, 2017
Last night’s earthquake is the largest one Mexico has experienced in the last 100 years. Chiapas and Oaxaca have been declared in a state of emergency.
The regional hospital in Juchitán, Oaxaca collapsed, so the government has set up a mobile hospital to take care of the community. Over 1100 schools are damaged throughout the country and will remain closed until appropriate safety measures can be taken. Military engineers have begun assessing public buildings to determine whether they are safe to use.
Compassion Impact:
- We have no specific information on the impact to Compassion assisted children and our local church partners at this time.
- Compassion Mexico believes at least 14 church partners in Juchitán and surrounding areas may be damaged. No details are available yet.
- Nearly 100 church partners have cancelled activities for the weekend due to the aftershocks. Civil protection authorities have recommended not resuming activities until the buildings are assessed for safety.
- Our local church partners are visiting children and their families to pray with and encourage them and provide other assistance as needed. Reimbursable disaster relief funds will be used to ensure they are safe, fed and cared for.
Please join our Mexico field office in praying for: - Local church partners that may be affected - The families of children who may have lost homes - Partnership Facilitators and local church staff as they work to account for all registered children and ensure they are well.
Compassion Mexico will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Fire: Colombia (Crisis Update) 09 Sep, 2017
Compassion assisted children and their families who were affected by the recent neighborhood fire in Colombia are rebuilding in the same area with wood and other elements they have.
A total of five Compassion assisted children have been affected.
CO0424 provided blankets and clothes in addition to their earlier response of hygiene items and groceries. They will continue to support families as needed.
Please continue to pray for these families as they rebuild.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Hurricane Irma: Dominican Republic 08 Sep, 2017
Category 5 Hurricane Irma is moving north of the Dominican Republic. The Emergency Operations Center (COE) reported that over 2000 homes are affected.
As many as 4200 people have been displaced from their homes and are staying in evacuation shelters. Another 2500+ are staying with family and friends. Even as Irma moves on, the Dominican Republic could still experience heavy rains, strong winds and storm surges. Sixty schools are being used as shelters and will not be in session. The community of Sabana de la Mar has experienced landslides and communication channels are unavailable at the moment. Government entities are currently providing support to residents.
Compassion Impact:
- The impact to Compassion assisted children and our local church partners are unknown. Twenty local church partners are located in areas deemed high-risk for rain and flooding. An estimated 80 families have relocated to shelters, churches, or the homes of relatives and friends.
- Local church partners have been providing food to families as they are able.
- The Disaster Response Team at Compassion Dominican Republic met with a member of the COE to understand the magnitude of the impact on the country. LAC’s regional Disaster Response Specialist traveled to the Dominican Republic yesterday to support response efforts in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Many staff are working remotely. Country leadership, the Disaster Response Team and our local church partners are actively monitoring the situation and evaluating follow-up measures.
Please pray for our children to remain safe during this storm and in the days ahead as the risk of heavy rain and flooding continues.
Our Compassion office in the Dominican Republic will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Flooding and Landslides: Bangladesh (Crisis Update) 08 Sep, 2017
Water levels in Bangladesh have continued to go down over the last two weeks, but many homes were destroyed. People remain in temporary shelters or with relatives. Many families do not have the means to rebuild since they lost both their homes and their livelihood.
Due to the destruction, the unemployment rate has increased dramatically and forced the majority of people to become day laborers.
A total of 1577 Compassion assisted children and 23 child development centres have been affected.
The housing situation for many of our children is precarious because they are staying in damaged homes or on higher ground near busy roadways.
Child Survival Program caregivers have also expressed health concerns due to the humid environment and close living quarters while waiting for floodwaters to recede.
The affected children, as well as community members have received food supplies with the help of the child development centre, community leaders and the local government.
The health and safety of our children in Bangladesh is still a great concern – please continue to pray for God’s protection over them. Please also pray for Compassion Bangladesh to have wisdom as they make strategic plans to support the children and their families with recovery.
Compassion Bangladesh will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Heavy Rains: Colombia (Crisis Update) 07 Sep, 2017
The heavy rains in Montería, Colombia have stopped. However, stagnant water and mosquitos remain.
A total of 67 Compassion assisted children have been affected.
Our local church partners have received support from the Compassion Colombia field office to provide basic elements to the affected children and their families.
Please pray that our children will remain healthy and be able to avoid mosquito-borne illnesses.
Compassion Colombia will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Flooding: Colombia 07 Sep, 2017
Heavy rains have caused flooding in Sucre, Colombia. A ditch in the community overflowed, damaging several homes.
Eight Compassion assisted children have been affected.
Local Compassion staff have visited the children and are assessing their needs. Most of them have lost several household items.
Please pray for safety and provision for our children in this area.
Compassion Colombia will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Flooding: Thailand (Crisis Update) 06 Sep, 2017
Floodwaters have receded in northern Thailand, and TH0918 has finished assessing the impact to Compassion assisted children.
Thankfully, there was no damage to children’s homes; however, widespread impact to rice fields and animals has affected the livelihood of many families.
Forty Compassion assisted children have been affected.
Please continue to pray for our children in this area as their families recover and try to rebuild income-earning potential.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Flooding: Ethiopia 05 Sep, 2017
Floodwaters from August have receded in Teji, Ethiopia and affected families have resettled. Staff from ET0279 went house by house to assess the impact of the flooding and determine the best way to meet children's needs.
- 14 Compassion assisted children were affected
Children were given mattresses, bed sheets, blankets, food and rent money. Twelve of the fourteen were encouraged to find another home, while the other two were able to repair their homes with assistance.
Thank you for your prayers over this situation.
Compassion Ethiopia will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Flooding: Thailand 02 Sep, 2017
Heavy rains in northern Thailand flooded the community around TH0918, located in a low-lying area at the base of the mountains. The water is receding but rice fields were destroyed and many families lost livestock.
- Twelve children from TH0918 are affected.
Child development centre staff and local authorities are surveying the damage and assessing ways to support the affected children and their families.
Please pray for provision and protection for our children and their families in this area.
Compassion Thailand will keep us updated as more information becomes available.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?