SNAPSHOT OF LAST YEAR

Anti-Trafficking

With high rates of unemployment, only exacerbated by COVID-19, the region of Mizoram in northeast India has high vulnerability to human trafficking. Boys and young men are particularly vulnerable to labour trafficking, whilst women and girls are most commonly trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

The Salvation Army in the India East Territory has worked to increase its capacity to respond to the issue of human trafficking. This has involved volunteer training for more than 280 people from 15 corps, awareness campaigns and workshops reaching over 7,000 people and the repatriation and support of 23 survivors of trafficking.

Clean Water

In Kilome, Kenya, people were struggling to access clean water. The Salvation Army worked alongside the community to construct a sand dam across their local riverbed. Rainwater is collected in the dam and naturally filtered. It can then be accessed year-round.

Grace Mutiso, a member of the project, said: ‘Through The Salvation Army we have gained water. I have saved a lot of time and money not having to search for water. We have also improved health and hygiene in the community. Now we have safe and clean water to drink so we are less vulnerable to diseases.’

Emergency Response

At the end of December 2021, the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Rai (known locally as ‘Odette’). Hitting communities in 11 of the Philippines’ 17 regions, the typhoon damaged 2.1 million houses, initially displaced nearly 3 million people and claimed the lives of 409 people.

The Salvation Army in the Philippines was quick to respond to the humanitarian need. The United Kingdom and Ireland Territory provided funding for three rapid response projects in different areas of the country. Amidst the ongoing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Salvation Army provided grocery items, drinking water and hygiene kits to more than 3,000 families.

Food Security

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, years of unwise agricultural practices and deforestation have caused the population of protein-rich foods such as edible insects, mushrooms and game to diminish. Therefore, The Salvation Army has worked alongside communities to combat the related challenges of malnutrition and high infant mortality by reintroducing edible insects.

Caterpillars represent the cheapest animal protein that a person in a rural area can access to meet their daily nutrient intake. In addition to the nutritional benefits, any surplus can be sold to boost household income, and the planting of trees for the caterpillars’ habitat leads to welcome regeneration of the local environment.

Gender Justice

In Tres Arroyos, Argentina, The Salvation Army provides group therapy sessions as well as practical help and legal advice to women who have experienced domestic violence. The women’s experiences are all different – some have experienced physical abuse whilst others, such as Marta, have faced psychological abuse.

Marta was married for 25 years before the abuse began. Her husband’s manipulative behaviour escalated, and she chose to leave when he threatened their daughter with a knife. Marta had very little self-esteem, but as part of the group her confidence has grown. She said, ‘You have to keep moving forward, with the help of others … This group really helped me to truly value myself.’

Income Generation

Tanzania is overwhelmingly rural, and 60 per cent of households use livestock rearing to support their income. In Ilembo, Tanzania, The Salvation Army is working with small-scale farmers (the majority of whom are women) to improve their livelihoods and food security. The project involves improving livestock quality, training in enhanced livestock management techniques and the facilitation of village savings and loans groups.

Alongside addressing material poverty, the project also aims to strengthen community relationships so members can work together to overcome shared challenges. In areas where women have traditionally been excluded from the conversation, this project provides opportunities for leadership and income generation for women.