Inside ARC - 7.23.14 - Pakistan Crisis, New Clinic, Celebrations

Hi jay, I've included a few updates from ARC program sites around the world. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about these items or anything else. -Daniel Daniel Wordsworth, President P.S. Will you do me a favor? Reply to this email with a short message and let me know if these updates are valuable to you. You can also let me know what you like. Or if there is other information you'd like to see. ***********************************************  *Pakistan IDP Crisis*   Insecurity in Pakistan's North Waziristan region has forced nearly 1 million people to flee their homes. Most have traveled east to other areas of Pakistan to escape the violence. People who have been displaced say they aren't receiving enough assistance in the form of basic services like food, water and shelter. ARC is working closely with partner organizations present on the ground and have shipped food packages, medicine, and hygiene kits to District Bannu which houses more than 60% of the IDP population. ARC is also ready to provide medical assistance to children and mothers as soon as it is permitted to enter the area. Stay tuned for updates on the crisis and ARC's response. *First Asili Clinic* Last week we opened our first Asili social enterprise clinic in rural DRC where families pay market rates in order to receive health care services and medicines. Asili is a pilot providing a lifesaving menu of primary care services at rates that even families with very limited resources can afford. In addition to health care, families can also access safe, clean water daily through Asili, and local farmers can get help improving their yields and selling their crops at market. Because Asili services are streamlined, costs stay very low. But we’re also training our staff to provide service at a level that would delight and astonish any customer. After initial infrastructure investments, Asili is designed to sustain itself on payments from customers alone – and won’t rely on US government or UN aid budgets to survive. After being open just one week, the response from customers is very positive. Clinic and medicine fees are being paid, and people are coming from around the region to receive services at the Asili clinic. On Saturday, one woman came a great distance to visit the clinic and she asked when we’ll be opening Asili near her home. We’re refining the model and ensuring Asili runs smoothly in this first service zone, and then we’ll look to expand past the pilot phase later in 2014 and 2015. Each Asili zone is expected to begin making a profit within three years.  *World Refugee Day in Uganda* Last month, ARC hosted two World Refugee Day(WRD) celebrations at Kyangwali and Nakivale refugee settlements in Uganda. The celebration at Kyangwali was Uganda’s official country-wide observance of World Refugee Day. Uganda’s treatment of refugees is unique in the world. Nearly a quarter of a million refugees reside in Uganda, and on arrival many of these people receive their own plot of land where they can build a home and grow crops. They enjoy a freedom of movement that is not true for refugees sheltering in most other countries. Several of Uganda’s ministers and other government officials were in attendance at Kyangwali to voice their support for refugee communities throughout Uganda. The WRD celebration at Nakivale settlement was a more relaxed community affair. Refugees representing several nationalities paraded through the settlement. Youth choirs sang songs, Burundian drummers thumped away, dance groups boogied down, and Somali drama teams performed theatrical skits. There were speeches from community leaders, and then a large picnic of chicken and rice for all who were assembled. [Below: A photo of the parade at Nakivale settlement]. *Giving*    At the request of readers, I always include these links so they’re easy to find when you need them. Thanks so much. Become a Monthly Donor : http://www.ARCrelief.org/givemonthly - the first year of your gifts will be matched! Donate Online: http://www.ARCrelief.org/donate Give Us a Call: (800) 875-7060 Send in a gift: American Refugee Committee Donor Service Center P.O. Box 1002 Minneapolis, MN 55480-1002 USA *Engage*  We're sharing photos, video and stories on social media. Join the conversation. Friend us! --- http://www.Facebook.com/arcrelief Follow us! --- http://www.twitter.com/arcrelief Subscribe! --- http://www.youtube.com/chriskatarc Check us out! --- http://www.instagram.com/arcrelief   Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

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Inside ARC - 7.2.14 - Somalia Jobs, South Sudan, Back-to-School

Hi jay, Here's the latest from ARC. If you have any questions or want more info, don't hesitate to get in touch. -Daniel Daniel Wordsworth, President ***********************************************  *En Route to 50,000 Jobs*   ARC recently joined with partners Kaah Express and Silatech to launch Somalia’s first commercial microfinance institution. Unemployment in Somalia currently tops 65%. This unique public-private partnership will promote job creation and provide opportunity for people in Somalia—particularly young people  and low-income women. Loans will enable entrepreneurs to start and expand small businesses, such as fishing, carpentry, tailoring, and small retail shop management. The program also offers a robust package of financial education, life skills, and business training to improve the ability of clients to make informed decisions about their financial needs. The goal is to provide financial access and stimulate economic development throughout Somalia. Earlier this year, we also launched a vocational training program in Somalia, working with Somali businesses to train young people in the skills businesses are lacking. It’s been incredibly popular both among companies and eager trainees. These two programs are the centerpiece in achieving our goal of creating 50,000 new jobs in Somalia in the next 5 years. *South Sudan Conflict and Hunger* The conflict in South Sudan continues on. Peace talks seem to be going nowhere, even as the country’s neighbors threaten the warring sides with sanctions. More than 2 million South Sudanese have abandoned their homes since violence broke out in December. As a result, much of the country’s fields have gone unplanted, and families have left their emergency stocks of food behind as they fled. Now more than 7 million people are at risk of starvation and disease, but the violence is making it difficult to get relief through.  Much of the areas where ARC works have remained somewhat secure, and we’ve been able to continue providing families with lifesaving services. As the situation evolves, our team is there ready to respond in whatever way we are needed. We will keep you updated on developments in South Sudan. *School Back In Session* School is now back in session at Fisherman’s Village Elementary School, San Jose Central School and San Jose National High School in Tacloban, Philippines. All three schools were devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in November, and teachers and hundreds of students lost their lives. With funds from ARC’s generous individual supporters, our teams have been rehabilitating the schools. Work is still in progress, but we’ve repaired ceilings, roofs, windows and doors to return the buildings and yards to areas suitable for children and learning.  Below are some before and after images from San Jose Central School. *Giving*    At the request of readers, I always include these links so they’re easy to find when you need them. Thanks so much. Become a Monthly Donor : http://www.ARCrelief.org/givemonthly Donate Online: http://www.ARCrelief.org/donate Give Us a Call: (800) 875-7060 Send in a gift: American Refugee Committee Donor Service Center P.O. Box 1002 Minneapolis, MN 55480-1002 USA *Engage*  We're sharing photos, video and stories on social media. Join the conversation. Friend us! --- http://www.Facebook.com/arcrelief Follow us! --- http://www.twitter.com/arcrelief Subscribe! --- http://www.youtube.com/chriskatarc Check us out! --- http://www.instagram.com/arcrelief   Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

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