Christian Aid Global

Christian Aid’s partner, the South Sudan Council of Churches, is an ecumenical body which brings together the main churches in South Sudan. It has formulated a powerful action plan for peace involving advocacy for peace, supporting neutral forums for dialogue and truth telling, and grassroots reconciliation. In this podcast, some of the key members of the SSCC talk about prospects for peace in South Sudan, and share their Christmas prayers.

Hear Joydip Kundu, a conservationist with the Society for Heritage and Ecological Researches in Kolkata, explain why tigers attack humans and how they keep millions of people in south Bengal safe from the devastating impacts of climate change. This audio is part of Christian Aid’s interactive story: The tiger, the fisherman, his wife and our future. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/tigers #ClimateChange #WorldEnvironmentDay #India #Tigers

For World Health Day we are highlighting the work of Tesfa Association, a member of the National Network of Positive Women Ethiopians. Christian Aid communications officer, Amanda Farrant, recently visited Ethiopia to find out more about Tesfa’s work. She witnessed how Tesfa is empowering men and women living with HIV to go into their communities and show others that it is possible to live happily and live positively. As Amanda explains, it starts with a cup of coffee… #health #Ethiopia #HIV

Prospery Raymond Christian Aid Country Manager in #Haiti talks about the achievements and challenges five years after the earthquake struck his country. #Haiti

In Kenya, too many children don’t make it through their first day of life – of those who don’t, the vast majority are killed by preventable illnesses or complications in childbirth. And for women in Kenya, childbirth can be dangerous. They are 40 times more likely to die in childbirth than mums in the UK. Through our Christmas appeal, Christian Aid is determined to change this. Our partners are working to get vital healthcare to mums and babies. Together we’re providing village motorbikes and rough terrain ambulances to get women safely from hut to hospital. By building local maternity wings, and equipping them with everything from delivery beds to incubators, we’re giving thousands more babies a chance at life. We’re training community health workers and traditional birth attendants to support expectant mothers, wherever they are, to make sure they get the healthcare they need. These days, wise women don’t bring frankincense. They bring life-saving care. Support our Christmas appeal this year and the UK Government will DOUBLE your donation. Visit www.christianaid.org.uk/getinvolved/c…as/index.aspx to find out more.

An audio reflection by Communications Officer, Antoinette Powell. She tells the story of Hero and how our partner ASUDA is doing incredible work to protect women from violence, through the provision of safe shelters and legal support.

'If we do not do our best to avert the climate crisis we have failed our children - it's as simple as that.' Yeb Sano, climate change commissioner for the Philippines. In this podcast, Yeb talks about the need for urgent action on climate change, the role of the church, and our moral duty to the generations to come.

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was a disaster unlike any in recent history. The race to deliver aid and rebuild communities involved coordination between governments and aid agencies on an unparalleled scale. Lessons learned have since been applied in emergencies, such as the Haiti earthquake in 2010 and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013. In this audioboom, Nick Guttmann, our Head of Humanitarian, describes how the Boxing Day disaster changed emergency work around the world. This podcast is part of Tsunami: 10 years after the wave, a multimedia production by Christian Aid. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/tsunami

The impact of #Ebola goes further than those directly affected by the deadly virus. Christian Aid's Tomi Ajayi has recently returned from #SierraLeone. She talks about how our colleague and his family were suddenly quarantined. For more information visit http://www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/areas-of-concern/ebola-in-sierra-leone.aspx Photo courtesy of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH.

After a record breaking 700,000 people took to the streets around the world demandning action to tackle climate change, world leaders met at the UN Climate Summit in New York. Christian Aid's Joe Ware sums up what happened and looks forward to a crucial 14 months for the climate.

A short snippet of a briefing given by one of our staff members in Sierra Leone about Christian Aid’s unique value in helping combat Ebola in the country. For more information, see our website: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/whatwedo/eyewitness/africa/ebola-outbreak-sierra-leone-west-africa082014.aspx #ebola #sierraleone

David Pain, one of Christian Aid's directors, talks about his visit to India to see the work of our partners, the challenge of fundraising and why he works for Christian Aid.

Fear is sweeping across parts of northern Iraq as hundreds of thousands of people flee for their lives to escape Islamic State militants. Many of them are persecuted religious minorities, including Yazidis and Christians. In this podcast Janet Symes, Head of Middle East at Christian Aid, talks to Middle East Communications Officer, Amy Merone. She describes the fear facing people in Iraq and tells of how these are unprecedented times for Christian Aid in the Middle East. Help us to reach out to desperate places. Visit www.christianaid.org.uk/Iraq #conflict #Iraq #Sinjar

Christian Aid believes that while the scale of destruction and suffering in Gaza is unprecedented, the current crisis should not be a surprise to anyone. In this podcast, Communications Development Officer Amy Smith talks to Christian Aid’s Advocacy Officer for the Palestinians and Israel William Bell. He explains why we believe the current crisis is the result of decades of political failure and continuous Palestinian displacement. Please donate now to the DEC Crisis Appeal to help us provide desperately needed essential healthcare, psychological and social services, and longer term support to the people of Gaza. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/Gaza #Gaza #humanitarian #displacement #christianaid

On 22 July 2014 Christian Aid joined the Girl Summit - a global movement to put an end to female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage – hosted by the UK Prime Minister and jointly organised by the Department for International Development (DfID) and UNICEF. Nyaradzayi Gumbozvanda, of Christian Aid’s partner organisation World Young Women’s Christian Association (World YWCA), was lucky enough to attend. Here she talks to Press Officer Melanie Hargreaves about her own experiences of child marriage, how World YWCA is tackling the issue, and what her hopes are following the Girl Summit.

In recent days, the conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory has spiralled alarmingly.In this podcast, Janet Symes, head of Middle East region at Christian Aid, describes the current humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, how our partners are responding to the crisis and what action Christian Aid is calling for. #Gaza #conflict

World Cooperative Day happens every year on the first Saturday of July. When we realised that two members of the Kuapa Kokoo cocoa farmers’ cooperative in Ghana were in London, we jumped at the opportunity to interview them. This year Kuapa Kokoo is celebrating its 20th year so we asked them all about the cooperative, their relationship with Divine Chocolate and what they hope to see over the next 20 years. #chocolate #cooperatives #divine

Rosie Crowther, emergency programme officer at Christian Aid, talks about her recent trip to South Sudan where fighting continues despite peace agreements signed by President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar. Whilst there she spoke to people fleeing their homes, both within the country and those heading for the border into Ethiopia. Currently over four million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.

15-21 June is World Refugee Week – a chance to highlight the plight of over 15.4 million people worldwide who have fled their homes and countries for fear of their lives. Often leaving home with nothing, they endure arduous and dangerous journeys to new countries, only to end up in makeshift homes and camps with little to survive on. This podcast looks at one of the biggest refugee crises facing our world today – the fleeing of millions of Syrians from a bloody conflict that has just entered its third year. Christian Aid is working with local partners in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon to support these refugees and help make life better for them. Lucy Batchelor, our programme manager for the Syria emergency explains what she has seen on a recent visit to refugee communities in Northern Iraq, and why it’s crucial that we continue to support them. For more information please visit: www.christianaid.org.uk/syria #syria #refugee #iraq #christianaid #humanitarian #aid #war #conflict #emergency

As football fever takes hold of the world this month, Communications Officer Cat Goldson interviews Brazilian Mara Luz – Christian Aid’s Deputy Head of Latin America and the Caribbean – to get an insider’s view of The World Cup. She talks about lots of issues ranging from the building of the stadiums, public expenditure costs, FIFA’s tax breaks and a campaign win for street vendors against a FIFA ruling. If you’d like to add your voice to our FIFA tax campaign – telling FIFA to stop imposing rules on World Cup hosts that give sponsors huge tax breaks – go to www.lasjugadasdelafifa.inspiraction.org/en #WorldCup #Brazil #football

Christian Aid recently took the decision to phase out our programme in Peru. In this podcast we explore why this decision has been made, reflect about our work and our achievements in this country, where we have been working for 30 years. #Peru

The war in Colombia has affected everyone in the country from writers to footballers. Football, however, also brings people together especially those affected by the conflict and those living in safe zones. This podcast brings football, war and a Colombian writer together.

Chair of Christian Aid talks about the challenge Live #BelowTheLine and how he lived on £1 a day for five days in solidarity with the 1.2bn people around the world who live below the poverty line

Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines on 8 November 2013. In this podcast, Christian Aid’s Ted Bonpin looks back at the courage and strength of people affected, the generosity of supporters, and the inspiration he’s drawn from the communities he’s visited. In the wake of Typhoon Haiyan we were there, in the hardest hit parts of the Philippines, delivering vital relief to thousands of families caught in the path of the storm. More than 14 million people were affected by the typhoon, and a further 4 million forced from their homes. Six months on and for many, already facing a future without precious loved ones, the anxiety and worry of making ends meet remains – the struggle to feed, clothe, house, educate and care for themselves and their families persists. Our local partners have been helping people restore their lost livelihoods and rebuild their lives. Find out more http://www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/current/philippines-typhoon-appeal/index.aspx (Photo –a community market day organised by Christian Aid partner Coastal Core-CERD brings together households and sellers of fish, fruit and vegetables. Beneficiaries are given cash vouchers. Not only does this enable them to buy vital food items, it also helps stimulate the local economy)

‘We can now live together safely and this brings my children courage and hope. This is so important to us so that we can now begin to forget.’ In this podcast we hear the story of Anoon Aleu, who returned to South Sudan to build a better life for her family and to rebuild her country following independence in 2011. She feared for her children’s safety and wanted a life of freedom for them in their homeland. Anoon and her husband, Madut, have built a new home, with a cash grant received from Christian Aid partner HARD. Anoon sees this new house as a symbol of hope bringing together her family safely under one roof. Christian Aid's partners in South Sudan are working with families like Anoon's to provide long term development solutions, whilst also responding to the current escalation in violence and the crisis facing many of those displaced from their homes. #caweek #conflict #southsudan #development #emergency

In the 1980s the Ba’ath regime, led by the then Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, launched a genocidal campaign against the country’s Kurdish people. Thousands of Iraqi Kurds were killed in chemical attacks and whole villages destroyed. Today, while many communities have rebuilt their homes and villages, poverty in rural northern Iraq is still prevalent. In this podcast, former communications officer, Antoinette Powell, shares her reflections on visiting a village in northern Iraq where Christian Aid partner REACH works to support a community whose lives were destroyed by conflict and ensuing poverty. #caweek #conflict #peace

How do we know how much benefit our development work actually achieves, and for whom? A recent research study carried out for Christian Aid by the new economics foundation calculated that every £1 of funds spent generated £8 of financial and social benefits not only among people directly targeted by the Filling the Gaps project, but also for their wider communities. Understanding where and how we are delivering value for money is an increasingly hot topic as supporters and donors rightfully expect us to demonstrate our accountability. Measuring this value is complex and there is much debate across the sector around how to do it meaningfully and cost-effectively. In this recent report using a Social Return On Investment approach, we look at the social and financial benefits achieved by two partners in Kenya involved in the Comic Relief funded project to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV through increased access to treatment and therapy. Find the full report here: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/images/Filling-the-gaps-social-ROI-analysis-May-2013.pdf

This Easter, we hear from two Christian Aid staff members who went to visit our partner, CIPCA, last year. CIPCA work with indigenous communities in the Bolivian rainforest helping them to earn a secure income, to produce more food and also to protect the land they live on. Part of Christian Aid’s support has enabled CIPCA to build a chocolate processing factory in the rainforest allowing cocoa growers to transform their beans into more valuable chocolate bars. CIPCA also provide families or groups of families with different types of small animals like sheep and hens which have adapted to thrive in the rainforest environment providing them with an extra source of protein and income. #chocolate #Easter #chicks #sheep #Bolivia

With the latest findings from climate scientists making grim reading Christian Aid has published a new report Taken by Storm which outlines how 7 different countries are being affected by climate change and what Christian Aid partners are doing to help. Co-author of the report, Christian Aid's Senior Climate Change Adviser, Dr Alison Doig, explains what the latest science means for the planet. To check out Christian Aid's new easy-to-read report Taken By Storm: Responding to the impacts of climate change, visit http://www.christianaid.org.uk/resources/policy/climate/index.aspx #IPCC

Crisis in South Sudan More than 900,000 people have been displaced amid escalating violence in South Sudan since 15 December 2013. The UN estimates that considerably more than 10,000 have been killed. Political tensions have been building for many months in South Sudan since President Salva Kiir – leader of the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM) - dismissed the entire cabinet in July last year. Despite the signing of a Cessation of Hostilities agreement on the 23rd of January this year, violent clashes between the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army (SPLA) and opposition forces loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar have continued unabated. An estimated seven million South Sudanese are at risk of food insecurity this year, with the UN Security Council now warning that the deteriorating humanitarian situation and continuing violence could result in famine at the beginning of 2015. Listen to our policy advisor Natalia Chan who explains more about the current crisis in South Sudan. For more information visit our website http://www.christianaid.org.uk/index.aspx

In the second of two podcasts to mark three years since the start of the conflict in Syria, Mark Ohanian, Director of Programmes at IOCC, a Christian Aid partner, talks about the work of the organisation inside the country. Working through their local partner, the Department of Ecumenical Relations and Development, they have reached more than 1 million people in desperate need. To find out more about our work in the region, or to donate to our appeal, visit www.christianaid.org.uk/syria.

In the first of two podcasts to mark three years since the start of the conflict in Syria, Christian Aid's Emergency Porgramme Manager for Syria, Lucy Batchelor, describes the work of our partners in Lebanon and northern Iraq in responding to the refugee crisis. To find out more about our work in the region, or to donate to our appeal, visit www.christianaid.org.uk.

International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th every year. Its aim: to celebrate the achievements of women whilst focusing world attention on areas in which women and men are still unequal. And gender based violence is just one such manifestation of gender inequality that exists the world over. This podcast showcases a new approach to tackling gender based violence which partners in Zambia and Sierra Leone are championing; involving men as part of the solution. As Emma Mwinga (pictured) from Zambia National Women's Lobby says: "We're engaging men and boys to be advocates of change within our communities."

Every day, in so many different ways, people show their love for one another. Love between couples, in families, within communities and love in action. In this podcast, Christian Aid staff share the love stories of people who they have met whilst travelling. #love #valentinesday

Radio is used in lots of different ways by Christian Aid partners around the world to help people in poverty. This World Radio Day (13 February 2014) Cat Goldson from Christian Aid's Communications team finds out about some of the ways in which radio is used in El Salvador, Bolivia, Burundi and the occupied Palestinian territory.

In this podcast, Adrian Ouvry, Head of Humanitarian Division at Christian Aid, explains the huge need that remains in Haiyan hit areas, the challenges ahead, Christian Aid's emergency response and what we’ll be doing in the near future. It’s three months now since Typhoon Haiyan tore through central Philippines on 8th November 2013. More than 14 million people were affected and a further 4 million forced from their homes. In the coming weeks and months Christian Aid partners will be supporting farmers and fishers as they slowly begin to restore their livelihoods http://www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/current/philippines-typhoon-appeal/eyewitness/efren-fishing-boat-livelihoods-income.aspx

Since the conflict in Syria began in March 2011, almost 900,000 refugees have crossed the border into Lebanon in search of sanctuary. For a country with a population of just 4.5 million, the influx of refugees has swelled the population by almost 25 per cent. Lebanon is a country that is teetering on the edge of breaking point; struggling to cope with the burden of so many refugees in desperate need. Christian Aid partners are working in Lebanon to provide practical, as well as emotional, support to some of the most vulnerable refugee communities. In this podcast, Communications Officer, Amy Merone, reflects on her recent trip to Lebanon. #Syria #Lebanon #conflict

On 12 January 2010 a 7.0 magnitude earthquake ripped through Haiti killing 220,000 people and leaving 1.5 million people homeless. This interview with Christian Aid’s Emergency Programme Office for Haiti, Nicki Morgan, reflects on the changes she has seen over the last few years, and the varied work that Christian Aid partners have been doing.

This podcast by Chantal Daniels, Policy and Advocacy Officer at Christian Aid, is part of In Kony’s Shadow, a powerful online multimedia exhibition about those who survived the violence of Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army in northern Uganda. Visit www.christianaid.org.uk/in-konys-shadow to explore photographs, films and personal accounts.

This podcast is part of In Kony's Shadow, a multimedia project about those who survived the violence of Joseph Kony's Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda. In Kony's Shadow will launch in January 2014

Unable to grow hardy corops at a high altitude, farmers living in Phinaya,Peru have no option but to raise alpacas to survive. Better techniques means alpaca farmers are now able to produce better fibre an earn a fair price for the wool. #Peru #internationalmountainday #alpacas #market

Brazilian Paulo Ueti is a Bible scholar, theologian, and passionate campaigner against gender violence. He brings these elements together in his work supporting faith communities to deal with violence against women and girls. In this fascinating interview, he discusses the role of church and theology in facing this issue, in the country with the 7th highest rate of domestic violence in the world. Part of our 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence series.

Harrowing accounts of sexual violence are included in a new report ‘Colombia: Women, Conflict Related Sexual Violence and the Peace Process’ by Christian Aid partner ABColombia. Colombian journalist Jineth Bedoya Lima, a victim of sexual violence herself, she talks to Christian Aid about the need to highlight the issue.

It's three weeks since Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines, leaving more than 3 million people homeless. Thanks to your donations our partners are providing life-saving assistance in some of the worst-hit areas, getting food and shelter to those who need it most. Lilly Peel, Christian Aid communications officer, reports on the work of our partners on the ground. #Haiyan #Typhoon #Philippines

Christian Aid press officer Melanie Smith is currently in the Philippines and travelled to Ormoc in Leyte province - one of the hardest hit areas. She explains the dire situation facing people affected by the recent typhoon. To donate to the DEC emergency appeal and help our local partners provide urgent assistance visit http://www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/current/philippines-typhoon-appeal/index.aspx #Typhoon #Haiyan #emergency #humanitarian #Philippines

During and after emergencies, such as conflicts and natural disasters, women and girls are at the most risk of abuse. Lack of protection and provision for their needs leaves them vulnerable to sexual exploitation, violence, mental and physical illness and death. This week, the government’s Department for International Development (DFID) has organised a high-level event to ensure that the prevention of, and response to, violence against women and girls is prioritised in emergency situations.

Coree Steadman, Christian Aid regional emergency manager for Asia and the Middle East, talks about the humanitarian situation on the ground and explains how our local partners are helping with the relief effort. To donate to our emergency appeal and help our local partners provide urgent assistance visit http://www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/current/philippines-typhoon-appeal/index.aspx #Typhoon #Haiyan #emergency #humanitarian #Philippines

Confusão translates from Portuguese as confusion. But in Angola it has come to have a particular meaning. Communications officer Lilly Peel explains. #Angola #humanrights #civilsociety #confusão

Violence against women was only made illegal in Nicaragua last year but the law has been under siege since by conservative religious and male groups. Christian Aid’s Emily Schechter explains more.

Press Officer Melanie Smith spoke to Niger Dil Nahar in Bangladesh about how Bangladesh celebrates International Disaster Risk Day, which aims to highlight how communities are reducing the risk of disasters and building resilience.

Cyclone Phailin was the biggest storm to hit India in 14 years, affecting at least 12 million and leaving more than a million homeless. Yet due to low loss of life, it has been little reported in the British Press. We speak to the Head of Christian Aid's Humananitarian Team to find out more.