Activities
Relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation
In the aftermath of war, natural disaster or following a particular crisis, Malteser International responds to the fundamental needs of the affected population. In these early stages, the focus of any response is upon helping people with basic survival. Programmes focusing on emergency medical relief and the distribution of relief items – such as the means for water purification and storage, household items, shelter kits and basic food rations – are “first response instruments”. Malteser International’s aim is to further reduce vulnerability and to provide communities affected by crises and disasters with sustainable reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes. Programme components include actual reconstruction of houses and public buildings as well as social rehabilitation measures, such as the reintegration of refugees within their homeland or reconciliation programmes in war-torn communities.
Health and nutrition
Malteser International cooperates with local authorities and partner organisations to set up and improve primary health care services, covering curative care, communicable disease control, health management and financing, medical emergencies and the responsible use of medicines. Special attention is given to reproductive health and health education as well as to the fight against HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene)
Malteser International’s activities within this sector include water supply and water treatment, construction and maintenance of sanitary facilities and sanitation management, and hygiene education and promotion.
Livelihood & social programmes
Activities in this sector aim primarily at poverty reduction and provide, through a participatory approach, increased well-being, reduced vulnerability, more income and improved food security. Examples include cash-for-work measures and capacity building.
Disaster Risk Reduction
Malteser International includes disaster risk reduction and mitigation components in many projects for people living in areas at risk of natural disasters. The focus is on community-based disaster risk management, which aims to support and to strengthen local coping capacities and to reduce vulnerabilities of people at risk. Measures include the construction of cyclone- and earthquake-resistant shelters, training local emergency response teams and setting up early warning systems.
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