The world’s poorest people are experiencing the impact of climate change with devastating consequences.

Climate change is set to push an additional 132 million people into poverty by 2030. People who have contributed least to global warming are already feeling the effects the most and being left to deal with the consequences.

CARE supports communities to adapt to the changing climate. This means diversifying food production and income, so they always have a backup. It means introducing drought resistant seeds, climate-resilient livestock and water-saving technologies. It means investing in community-based early warning systems and supporting governments to improve their disaster forecasting and climate policies.

Fast Facts

Women are more impacted by climate change and disasters. In the Asia-Pacific region, women and children are 14 times more likely than men to die in a disaster and its aftermath.

Community and people_gradient_5

In 2022, over 140 disasters struck the Asia-Pacific region, affecting over 64 million people and leading to over 7,500 deaths.

In 2024, close to 300 million people around the world will need humanitarian assistance and protection, due to conflicts, climate emergencies and other crises.

Fast Facts

Women are more impacted by climate change and disasters. In the Asia-Pacific region, women and children are 14 times more likely than men to die in a disaster and its aftermath.

Community and people_gradient_5

In 2022, over 140 disasters struck the Asia-Pacific region, affecting over 64 million people and leading to over 7,500 deaths.

In 2024, close to 300 million people around the world will need humanitarian assistance and protection, due to conflicts, climate emergencies and other crises.

Impact stories

Disaster Risk Reduction in Vanuatu

In Vanuatu, the country faces major challenges due to limited economic opportunity, scarce government resources, challenging geography and extreme vulnerability to disasters and climate change.

“From my point of view, women in our community support development,” Margaret Rasai, from Tanna Island, told us. “We work with men to make changes in our community, because men cannot make a change by themselves.”

Women are more vulnerable in times of climate-driven disaster. This is why their engagement and leadership is critical during times of crisis, to speak and act on behalf of those most impacted.

CARE’s work in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) ensures women’s voices are heard to help drive a more effective response that considers all members of the community. In addition, we recognise the importance of supporting programs that will lead to long-term resilience and adaptability in the face of these disasters.

Our Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) are self-managed groups in communities that save their money in a safe space, access small loans, and obtain emergency insurance.

This has helped women to build their businesses or alternative ways of making a living. VSLAs have meant women are able to better provide for their families, invest in their children’s education and absorb the impact of disasters. In Lenaken and Lounoula, VSLA members were able to share out their savings to help them rebuild their houses and purchase food and clean water for their family members after the twin cyclones that hit Vanuatu in March 2023.

Margaret Rasai participates in CARE’s Leftemap Sista project and took part in the Community Disaster Climate Change Committee (CDCCC) training, which helped her learn the importance of preparing for disasters. Margaret’s story in her words: Time Translation to English 00:00 - 00:18 My name is Margaret Rasai, and I am from Imaio Village. I am originally from Isaka Village, and my maiden name is Samson. I got married to my husband Rasai, from Imaio Village. 00:19 - 00:48 I have five children, three daughters and two sons. My first-born son is married and has three daughters. He is currently working at World Vision Vanuatu, and his wife is a kindergarten teacher. 00:49 - 01:08 The second child is my daughter, and she is married, living in the south west of Tanna Island. She was swapped with her eldest brother’s wife, who is originally from the south west. My daughter is now living in Port Vila, Efate Island, working at a Chinese Shop. 01:11 - 01:18 My third child is a girl. She’s married and now living at Greenpoint, south east of Tanna Island. She had two children, a daughter, and a son. 01:19 - 01:27 The fourth child is another daughter. She is married and now living on Malekula Island, and she has a son. 01:28 - 01:37 My last and fifth child is a boy, now attending Tebakor College in Port Vila, and he is 20 years of age. 01:38 - 01:51 I was very happy when my children moved out of our house, got married and had their own family to look after. 01:52 - 02:32 I am a stay-at-home mother, and from time to time I do go out and attend the training provided by CARE. I stay home and take care of my grandchildren, do my gardening, and do other things that I have initiated because of training from CARE. 02:33 - 02:52 I joined CARE’s programs after Tropical Cyclone Pam in 2015. I attended the Community Disaster Climate Change Committee (CDCCC) training when CARE Vanuatu became involved in our community. 03:53 - 04:10 Before Tropical Cyclone Pam in 2015, there were a lot of things about natural disasters we did not know about. Topics like natural disaster preparedness I was not familiar with. 04:23 - 04:51 A lot of the people in our community do not understand the term natural disaster ‘preparedness.’ After Tropical Cyclone Pam the team at CARE Vanuatu came into our communities and trained the Community Disaster Climate Change Committee (CDCCC). I was one of the few women that took part in the training. It was at that point we became aware of our responsibilities in our community, and what natural disaster preparedness was about. 04:52 - 05:03 Before that we did not know what natural disaster preparedness was, and only came to fully understand after our training with CARE. 05:04 - 05:33 The terms we learnt were before, during and after a cyclone or natural disaster. Once we receive information from the Natural Disaster Management Office (NDMO) through the Area Secretary in our community we should be preparing. We should know what things need to be done before a disaster, especially tropical cyclones. 05:30 - 06:10 Southeast and northeast of Tanna Island often experiences heavy ashfall. Tropical cyclones are experienced by everyone, but ashfall is what people in those specific areas face the most. This was not the case in the past, and since 2015 we have seen some more drastic changes. 06:11 - 06:34 Ashfall on Tanna Island occurs every year, and it is not light ash but heavy ashfall. The acid from the ash damages all our gardens and fruit trees, at this point we no longer have fruits to eat. 06:35 - 07:07 We have seen that before the year 2000 we did not experience heavy ashfall from the volcano. Changes started to happen once Lake Siwi, that’s located at the bottom of the volcano flowed out to the ocean and the land dried up. The acid from the ashfall feels like fire, and once it falls on the trees the leaves lose colour and die out. 07:08 – 07:45 I believe that the water from Lake Siwi was what kept the level of eruptions low. Once the lake dried up the level of volcanic eruptions increased greatly. I am not sure what caused the increased number of eruptions, but a lot of us believe that the changes were due to Lake Siwi drying up. 07:46 - 08:17 In the past the volcanic emissions did not reach areas south of Tanna Island, it only circulated in our area. This has now changed, and wind can be a contributing factor. Yasur Volcano now throws its ashes south of the Island, which is not normal. 08:18 - 08:49 I am not sure about the factors causing the volcano to change directions on where it throws its ashes, and the lake drying up, but the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) can provide more information. I have not seen and experienced changes like this since the day I was born. 08:50 – 09:07 The first volcanic eruption happened in 2013 and stopped. Then in 2015, the volcano erupted again and continued ever since then. 09:08 – 09:14 I am currently 54 years old. 09:15 - 09:40 In the past, the volcanic ashfall was light and did not contain acid that could damage our greenery. We were able to successfully grow our crops in our gardens. It takes about two months for the volcano to pause, before it resumes. Volcanic activity occurs two to three times a month. 09:41 - 09:59 We used to be able to grow manioc (cassava), but not so much now because it gets damaged from volcanic ash. Fijian taro is the only crop that can successfully grow through an ashfall, but the leaves get heavily damaged. 10:01 - 10:39 At this point we are not sure what to do anymore with our crops when there is volcanic ashfall, but we continue to grow Fijian taro. Damaged root crops we dig up and replant. Leaving the damaged root crop in the soil will not yield anything. Plants that are not fully grown and not ready for harvest can be replanted. 10:40 - 11:01 Sadly, in our area there are now pawpaw (papaya) trees growing. The ashfall has damaged all pawpaw trees in the area and in our gardens. The damaged banana trees you saw driving through the coconut plantation is what all banana trees in this area look like. The ashfall damages all the leaves, and there is no banana fruit to harvest because the plant is weak. 11:02 - 11:27 We no longer have fruit trees like bananas and pawpaw (papaya) in our area. People must purchase now from the markets, and only those with the money can purchase food from markets. Those without the funds of purchasing food end up eating what they can, with no greens (vegetables). 11:28 - 11:52 Our main source of food every day is Fijian Taro. We used to grow kumala (sweet potato), but not anymore. If other versions of taro are planted and can grow, then we may eat that too. 11:53 - 12:06 If we raised chickens, then it would be our main source of meat. But most of the time we only purchase canned meat from the shops. 12:07 - 12:34 Our tourist bungalows are our main source of income. COVID-19 and border closers have reduced and eventually stopped tourists from visiting us. We have not cleaned our bungalows in a while but will do so soon. 12:35 - 13:23 The training we received from CARE in our community are eye-openers. I was able to establish a fish nursery to feed and support my family. Tourists that visit us would request to have some fish. I have cleaned the fishpond but have left it empty for a while but will so soon. 13:24 - 14:22 CARE Vanuatu has trained and taught us on the different steps to getting prepared before a natural disaster, such as a cyclone. They taught us the three alert warnings you would receive from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), before any disaster. The Blue Alert is informing us to get the people in the community prepared, by visiting and informing the people of what they must do. 14:23 - 14:57 The team at CARE Vanuatu have also trained and taught us the roles and responsibilities of the Community Disaster Climate Change Committee (CDCCC). In the past we were not aware of what we must do in times of disaster. The training has taught us that when there is a Blue Alert, community members must cut tree branches that may cause damage to houses, and to cut down crops like banana, especially its leaves prior if it is a cyclone. 14:58 - 15:25 When we receive the Yellow Alert warning, we should be moving into our homes with our food supplies. These are the things CARE has fully trained the Community Disaster Climate Change Committee (CDCCC) to do. Upon receiving the Red Alert, everyone should be inside their houses, and no one should be outside. 15:26 - 16:08 The people at CARE have trained us to build cyclone-proof houses. They trained us to use intersecting timbers at the base when installing posts for cyclone-proof houses. We have traditional grass houses used and built by our ancestors for generations, like the one we have down there. Grass houses were built to withstand cyclones. 16:09 - 16:48 Grass houses are very strong and cannot be destroyed by cyclones. Our community has three community nakamals (meeting houses) and grass houses are built near those nakamals. When the warnings are given out, people move into these houses to keep safe. Those with cement houses can remain in their homes. There have been no recorded deaths in our community caused by cyclones or other natural disasters. Everyone in the village is safe in grass houses, especially during a cyclone. 16:49 - 17-27 I attended the Family Financial workshop with my youngest son. We learnt a lot from the workshop and returned home to discuss as a family with my husband how to budget our spending. We also discussed building cyclone proof houses in the time of natural disasters. 17:30 - 18:34 We started building our cement house located over there, still to be completed. John Bill was our trainer from CARE at that time, and he drew a tree to illustrate. He explained that the roots are your income into your home, and branches are your expenses. If your expenses currently are more than your income, then you need to cut off branches and grow more roots. It simply means you need to generate more income for the family. 18:35 - 19:08 I told the trainers that I had just established a fishpond to generate income for my family and was so thankful for the training. The fishpond will be another source of income. I personally have too many branches (expenses), it’s time I cut off a few of these branches. The pond I will use to support my family. 19:09 - 19:24 The Foundational Leadership workshop has made me realise that I am confident in my leadership abilities. I can lead other women in my community to come up with initiatives that will support our community. 19:25 - 20:04 My husband is my biggest support, encouraging me to attend the CARE training and workshops so I can help other women in our community. There are many cases of women in the community turning down training with reasons being their family members do not approve of them attending, or they have children coming home from school who need to be looked after. My husband lets me attend the training so I can teach other women back here in the community that have not attended. 20:05 - 20:47 The water from our taps changes colour sometimes. We fetch clean water to drink from springs. In cases when we are too tired to walk downstream when we are thirsty, we force ourselves to drink from the tap. These are the challenges we go through when we want water. We can also fetch water uphill. 20:48 - 21:09 Imaio is a big community, and my family is responsible for looking after the people. We cannot move out of here, because moving the whole community will be too difficult and a real struggle. 21:10 – 21:49 We encourage our girls to get married out to other communities, so they can have access to good gardening areas for their family. We find it difficult to move out of this area. My family has an area of land at Greenpoint, but we cannot move everyone out because the community is too big. 21:50 - 22:32 In our community, there are 300 people and four with a disability. From my point of view, women in our community support development. We work with men to make changes in our community, because men cannot make a change by themselves. 22:33 - 23:15 In the past, we used bubu shells as a way of communicating. The chief blows the shell and the thick roots of the nabanga tree (banyan tree) are beaten loudly for everyone to hear. But since CARE came to our community, they gave us a hailer to pass information received from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO). If there is no battery to use the hailer, we relay information orally to people. 23:16 - 24:13 I want to say a big thank you to CARE. Before your training and workshops, we did not know what to do or how to get prepared for natural disasters. They have taught us many useful things. We did not know that there was a three alert system to use in times of disaster, and now we use it all the time. People in the community know what to do in a Blue, Yellow and Red Alert. 24:18 I am very thankful to CARE, because I am an uneducated mother, but their training and workshops have made me realise my capabilities. I am acquainted with many different concepts brought by CARE. Interviewed by Florida Tumulango and Georgina Ishmael in Vanuatu in October 2021.

Seedling Distributions in Samoa

CARE’s work in Samoa, through partner WIBDI (Women in Business Development Inc) is focussed on Community-Based Disaster Risk Management, with the aims of making communities more resilient to climate change and disasters. This is being achieved through 19 disaster risk awareness and planning within communities and improving climate-smart agriculture (including waste management).

Farmer, Repeka, participated in WIBDI’s seedling distributions project. The project provides women with resilient seedlings and training, helping improve their ability to grow their own fruit and vegetables; in turn enhancing their climate resilience.

Repeka is saving money and feeding her family a healthy diet thanks to the seeds she received and the skills she learnt.

Female farmer, Repeka poses for portraits amongst her lush taro plantation. -- Alexia Rae, Photographer CASE STUDY Repeka participates in WIBDI’s Seedling Distributions BHA (Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance) project. She is saving money and feeding her family a healthy diet thanks to the seeds she received and the skills she learnt. Repeka’s story in her words: [The WIBDI project has been] very useful indeed. I am new to the program. I joined just before the lockdown. I got to learn new ideas on how to utilise the small piece of land that I have to get the most I possibly can. In my small backyard, I have planted different vegetables and it’s something I can manage. I have cucumbers, tomatoes, spring onions, beans, ginger, basil, mint, sweet potatoes and taro. One of the most important things I learnt is how to go organic. I guess that is why we are strong and healthy, because we do not use chemicals in our garden. Organically grown vegetables cost more at the market, so I think our home grown organic crops are more than enough nourishment for us – especially for my elderly parents everyday. My father turns 98 in September; my mother is 84 years old. WIBDI visits us now and then to see how we are doing and they help us with seeds. I like how they visit us regularly because there are times I am tempted to use chemicals when I am too tired to weed. The follow up visits encourage me to continue with my vegetable garden. It doesn’t have to be a big one, but something that I can maintain to help with my family’s upkeep. It costs a lot to buy vegetables. If I had money for chicken, I would still need to also buy pumpkins, cucumber and peas for the meals. But now I don’t have to buy vegetables as I am growing my own. So I am saving money. If we have a can of fish, I can add lots of vegetables from our own garden to make a good dish. I am truly thankful and appreciative for this project. I am also privileged to be part of this organisation. Interviewed by Faiesea Matafeo and photographed by Alexia Rae in March 2022.

Supporting women. Defeating poverty.

Supporting women. Defeating poverty.

Donate Now