Tearfund and Integral Alliance call for more attention and collective action for Neglected Crises

Media Release

Tearfund and Integral Alliance call for more attention and collective action for Neglected Crises

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

9th July 2024

Tearfund Australia, as a member of Integral Alliance, is calling for collective action to address the needs of people in neglected crises – those that are protracted, complex or overlooked by the media. Integral’s 21 members, including Tearfund, are uniting their voices to draw attention to neglected crises across the world by publishing a new report: ‘Five Factors Driving Neglected Crises’. The report is at the centre of an alliance-wide Neglected Crises awareness-raising campaign taking place in July 2024.

‘Five Factors Driving Neglected Crises’ draws on the collected expertise of humanitarian practitioners across the Alliance membership and highlights factors causing disasters to become neglected. It explores the multifaceted reasons behind the neglect and advocates for renewed focus on transformative action.

Tearfund has highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan as part of the report, drawing attention to the ongoing and deepening needs of communities who have endured decades of conflict, political upheaval, severe economic decline and recurrent extreme climate shocks. It is estimated that 58% (23.7 million people) of the national population require humanitarian assistance in 2024, and one third of the population is experiencing a high level of food insecurity. Currently, Tearfund's Afghan partners are meeting the humanitarian needs of more than 300,000 people. This work includes access to clean water and toilets, food security, children’s nutrition, infant and maternal health, income generation, support for livelihoods, and mental health.

Integral is calling for governments, donors, the media, NGOs and churches to take practical action to better meet the needs of people in neglected crises. This call to action emphasises that all actors have a part in play in making more resources available and strengthening locally-led action.

With the number of disasters increasing, we know that the added value of working collaboratively in these resource-scarce situations is that together we can have greater reach into more crises, and greater impact by increasing access to resources.

Fiona Boshoff, CEO of Integral, expresses the ultimate aim of the Report: “By coming together, the Integral Alliance makes the call for the need to transform the landscape of humanitarian aid, ensuring that no crisis remains hidden and every response is imbued with hope and resilience. Together, we can shift from compassion to impactful action, embodying our shared commitment to uphold the dignity of all individuals.”

Integral is an Alliance of 21 Christian agencies from 14 countries, working across 85 nations to alleviate suffering and restore hope in many fragile settings.

ENDS

For further information or interview requests call Melody Murton (Tearfund Head of Communications & Education) on (03) 9264 7000 or email [email protected]

Note for Editors

• Integral Alliance's Five Factors Driving Neglected Crises report is available here
• Tearfund Australia is a member of Integral, an alliance of Christian relief and development agencies responding to emergency situations around the world. Our membership with Integral provides us with opportunities to learn and respond quickly when disasters happen. See integralalliance.org
• Tearfund has supported local partners in Afghanistan for over 40 years, since the year 1983. More information on this work is available here

Key Messages

Tearfund Australia:

Tearfund works in partnership to end poverty, challenge inequality and build sustainable communities. Following Jesus, we go where the need is greatest, acting with courage to tackle injustice so that all may experience fullness of life. Our partnerships with local Christian agencies develop long-term holistic transformation for communities facing poverty and injustice around the world and in Australia. We do justice together as we inspire, connect and equip Australian Christians to live, act and pray for a more just and compassionate world. tearfund.org.au