Category: Smart Aid

Our disaster responses

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

by Brian Ashworth, posted in Countries we aid, Safe Water for Every Child, Smart Aid

October 13th is the United Nations Day of Disaster Aid Reduction.

At Disaster Aid Australia we are more known for Disaster Response but we are also involved in risk reduction, through resiliance.

Making Communities More Resiliant

Some of the ways we improve resiliance are

Training Not Doing

Our volunteers look to train and assist local people to help themselves.

This gives them the confidence to tackle future disasters.

It has also enabled DAA to continue to deliver Aid during the COVID pandemic.

Build Back Better

When we help people rebuild ther homes we provide information to help them build more resiliant houses.

This ‘Build Back Better’ approach includes things like stronger foundations and bracing systems that resist high winds.

Resiliant Water Systems

Our SkyHydrant water filters operate without the need for electricity or treatment chemicals.

When power supplies are down people can still access safe drinking water.

If you would like to help Disaster Aid Australia continue to help those in developing countries become more disaster resiliant, click on the link below;

DONATE

Charity donations of $2 or more to Disaster Aid Australia are tax-deductible in Australia.

Rio Blanco Water System Repairs

by Brian Ashworth, posted in Assisting DAI Partners, Smart Aid

With the COVID pandemic meaning that our DARTs are still unable to travel we are continuing to support our Disaster Aid International partners with Smart Aid Grants.

Disaster AId Canada has been working with the Rotary Club of Comayagua, in Houduras to help remote communities.

Rio Blanco

The Rio Blanco water system for was destroyed by flooding.

The community needs clean water to drink and cook.

They also need water to plant crops and stave off malnutrition and disease.

Every morning the women and children leave home at dawn to walk 2 kilometers with wheelbarrows, buckets and plastic containers to get water.

At the source they must wait for their turn to access the water with the other villagers.

The Project

The Plan is in two phases

Phase 1 invoves rebuilding the dam and the building of a sand filtration system.

Dam Site

Phase 2 will be a new main water pipe to the village.

The people of Rio Blanco will supply the labour and sand and gravel for the project.

Most of the transportation will be over little more than mule tracks and will require 4×4 trucks to get the materials to the town.

With US$7,700 raised by DA Canada, RC Comox. and Disaster Aid Australia for cement and reinforcing steel Phase 1 is ready to start.

If you would like to help Disaster Aid Australia continue to deliver smart Aid in developing countries then click on the link below;

DONATE

Charity donations of $2 or more to Disaster Aid Australia are tax-deductible in Australia.

Build Back Better

by Brian Ashworth, posted in Smart Aid

When Disaster Aid Australia responds to a disaster one of the key elements in helping those affected is ‘Shelter’.

Our SmartAid approach to Shelter is to help people repair and/or rebuild their homes.

The first step in this approach is to arrange for in-country purchase of materials, which we have found is faster, and less expensive, than trying to import materials or temporary accomodation.

Distribution of building materials, Philippines

By helping those affected build their home, rather than provide temporary accomodation, we help build pride and certaintly.

A second step is to help people build more resilient homes, a process known as ‘Build Back Better’.

Build Back Better -Timber Frames

Timber frame construction is quite common in the Asia Pacific region.

When ‘Building Back Better‘ we help people rebuild homes with;

  • Foundations that tie the building down, and the structure together;
  • Bracing against movement:
  • Stronger fixings
Rebuilt home in the Philippines

These make the buildings more resilient to the typhoons that sweep the pacific on a regular basis.

Build Back Better – Masonry

Although masonry construction is generally more resistant to typhoons is can be severly damaged by earthquakes.

Our help for rebuilding masonry homes in earthquake regions includes:

  • Strong foundations;
  • Reinforcing the walls horizontally and vertically with reinforced concrete columns at corners and openings;
  • A lightweight roof.
Rebuilt Home in Chiapas, Mexico

If you would like to help Disaster Aid Australia continue to help disaster affected people ‘Build Back Better’ with Smart Aid . . . click on the link below;

DONATE

Charity donations of $2 or more to Disaster Aid Australia are tax-deductible in Australia.

SmartAid Assisting Nepal

by Brian Ashworth, posted in Nepal, News, Smart Aid

Disaster Aid Australia’s SmartAid Grant to the Anandaban Leprosy Hosital, in Nepal is being put to good use.

With the hospital having to pivot to becoming involved with the national COVID-19 response activities protecting the staff and patients has been vital.

Our support has enabled the hospital to purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and sanitiser.

This equipment, seen in these photographs, is being used used during screening, vaccination, and treatment of COVID patients as well as the regular treatment of Leprosy patients.

If you would like to help Disaster Aid Australia continue to deliver Smart Aid to people in need in developing countries during the pandemic click on the link below;

DONATE

Charity donations of $2 or more to Disaster Aid Australia are tax-deductible in Australia.