Earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia

Women like Ningsih are leading the way, thanks to your support. Ningsih lives with her husband and 3 year old son in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Her husband was a fisherman – but the tsunami last fall destroyed their boat. Without it, they’ve been struggling to recover, like so many families across the region.

Ningsih got connected with ActionAid and our community-based coalition and joined a women’s group. There, she’s learning more about her rights as a woman and tsunami-survivor, gaining skills to make living, and helping her whole community to build back stronger.

Our teammate Rachid Boumnijel’s shared his thoughts from Sulawesi:

“One of the most humbling things about being here, as a man, has been witnessing first-hand how vital women are to rebuilding a community. I know from experience as an aid worker that, when local women lead the response to a disaster, it can make a huge difference in the long term.

"Women like Lian [who has organized community kitchens], or like my colleague Francisca “Iko” Fitri, who heads ActionAid in Indonesia, are often the first responders to a crisis like this, and they bring knowledge and skills that make the relief effort more effective. They also help prepare the community for the future, preventing new emergencies.

"But all too often, when disaster strikes and a relief effort swings into action, women are marginalised and their skills ignored. When this happens, the whole community suffers.”

Together, we're creating a world where women's leadership is valued and their needs are met.

Thank you for making it possible!