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After using the SCIAF resources pupils can teach the rest of the school community including parents and carers. 

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After using the SCIAF resources pupils can teach the rest of the school community including parents and carers. 

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Craft + Activism = Craftivism. Climate Craftivism is a way to use craft to make your voice heard on climate injustice.

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Craft + Activism = Craftivism. Climate Craftivism is a way to use craft to make your voice heard on climate injustice.

Download our pack to learn more about Climate Fringe Week and ideas on how you can use your creative talents to campaign for a just and green world.

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Climate Fringe Week: Climate Craftivism pack

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Craft + Activism = Craftivism. Climate Craftivism is a way to use craft to make your voice heard on climate injustice. Download our pack to learn more about Climate Fringe Week and ideas on how you can use your creative talents to campaign for a just and green world.

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Ask SCIAF to host their Care for Creation workshop which explores the cry of the earth and the effects on the poor.

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Ask SCIAF to host their Care for Creation workshop which explores the cry of the earth and the effects on the poor.

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Book a SCIAF visit here

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We'd love to visit your parish or school

Every year we visit hundreds of parishes and schools across Scotland. Both parishes and schools play a vital role in our work.
Please fill in the form below and we will get back to you to confirm your visit.
SCIAF in schools: Working with a small team of amazing volunteers we educate young people in Scotland to increase their awareness and understanding of global poverty and its causes. We provide face-to-face visits and downloadable resources which encourage pupils to put their faith into action.

SCIAF in parishes: We support our parish volunteers across Scotland by providing Mass talks, group workshops and resources. We have prayer and reflection resources linked to the liturgical calendar for use by parish groups, children's liturgists and parish priests.

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Every year we visit hundreds of parishes and schools across Scotland. Both parishes and schools play a vital role in our work. Please fill in the form below and we will get back to you to confirm your visit.

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Find out how a recent natural disaster has impacted on the poor of that country. 

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Find out how a recent natural disaster has impacted on the poor of that country. 

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SCIAF Emergency Response Resource for Secondary

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Resources for Primary and Secondary level looking at SCIAF's response during an international crisis. Includes lesson plans with videos and PowerPoints to share with your class.
Primary

Aimed at upper primary this new resource looks at SCIAF's response during an international crisis.

The lesson plan will help you explore SCIAF's emergency work, the impact of natural disasters on people and planet, and how we're called to care for creation.

After you have completed both lessons in this resource pack, SCIAF will visit with a giant board game. The interactive game is designed to help pupils understand the impact of a natural disaster and SCIAF's response.

Secondary

This new Secondary resource looks at SCIAF's response during a natural or man-made disaster.

The first lesson focuses on Church Teachings on poverty, and how they inform SCIAF's response to an international crisis. The second lesson then encourages pupils to discuss and evaluate the effectiveness of SCIAF's emergency response.

Supporting videos

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Emergency Response Resource for schools | SCIAF

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Resources for Primary and Secondary level looking at SCIAF's response during an international crisis. Includes lesson plans with videos and PowerPoints to share with your class. Aimed at upper primary this new resource looks at SCIAF's response during an international crisis.

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Find out how a recent natural disaster has impacted on the poor of that country

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Find out how a recent natural disaster has impacted on the poor of that country

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Watch this video to find out how SCIAF respond to international crises

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Find out how a recent natural disaster has impacted on the poor of that country. 

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Find out how a recent natural disaster has impacted on the poor of that country. 

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Watch this video of Enifa Malembia, Village Civil Protection Committee member, Malawi. She speaks powerfully of her experiences of participating in the Climate Challenge Programme Malawi which is administered by SCIAF, and her and her communities' losses due to Storm Ana and Cyclone Gombe.

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SCIAF | Hearing from Enifa on Loss and Damage in Malawi 2022

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Discuss the positive effects of individuals coming together in small groups to achieve a common goal. 

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Discuss the positive effects of individuals coming together in small groups to achieve a common goal. 

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Watch this video from the 2021 Climate March in Glasgow, to hear from Ayaat Hassan from Scotland and Father Chiti from Zambia.

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Learn about how communities in another part of the world are impacted by climate change, and how the church there is responding. 

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Learn about how communities in another part of the world are impacted by climate change, and how the church there is responding. 

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A National 4/5 resource which provides learners with the real-life perspective on the effects of climate change on people and planet.

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This resource provides learners with the real-life perspective on the effects of climate change on people and planet. It shares the voices of SCIAF partners who live in the world's poorest countries, and who are most affected by climate change, but have done least to cause the problem.

Climate Justice weaves together the principles of environmental, economic and social justice offering solutions to climate injustice through sustainable development and advocacy.

There are six activities for N4/5 within this resource, exploring these themes through global case studies, videos and games plus three deep dive for N5 tasks within certain activities. All of which will deepen the learning on the effects of climate change on SCIAF partners and provide learners with opportunities to respond in prayer and action. Contact schools@sciaf.org.uk with questions, and to give any feedback on this resource.

This resource includes:

Lesson plan (pdf)

A prayer for our earth (pdf)

Activity 1
Called to Care for Creation
- Called to care for creation (PPT)- Agreement line (pdf)

Activity 2
Vulnerability Analysis
- Vulnerability Analysis (pdf)

Activity 3
Climate Emergency
- Climate Emergency Game (PPT)- Climate Emergency Game Pack (pdf)- Climate Emergency in El Salvador (pdf)- Climate Change in El Salvador (video)

Activity 4
Climate Justice
- Climate justice is vital (pdf)

Activity 5
Climate Hero
- Climate Hero (PPT)

Activity 6
Act in Hope
- Act in Hope (pdf)

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Climate Justice: Called to Care for Creation

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This resource provides learners with the real-life perspective on the effects of climate change on people and planet. It shares the voices of SCIAF partners who live in the world's poorest countries, and who are most affected by climate change, but have done least to cause the problem.

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Learn about how communities in another part of the world are impacted by climate change, and how the church there is responding. 

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Learn about how communities in another part of the world are impacted by climate change, and how the church there is responding. 

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Watch this video to find out how climate change is affecting communities in El Salvador.

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Choose one of SCIAF's projects and find out how it benefits the environment.

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Choose one of SCIAF's projects and find out how it benefits the environment.

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Find out about our innovative project in Syria, focused on hydroponic farming – a very cost-effective, efficient and reliable way of growing crops and improving people’s livelihoods.

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Learn about how water resources are threatened around the world 

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Learn about how water resources are threatened around the world 

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Invisible Water - A game where students determine how many litres of water are needed to produce everyday items.

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Join a game of kahoot here. Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn - any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!

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Find out about the Catholic charities in Scotland that help to tackle poverty.

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Find out about the Catholic charities in Scotland that help to tackle poverty.

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Read about SCIAF on our website

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SCIAF - Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund

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SCIAF - Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund

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Find out about the Catholic charities in Scotland that help to tackle poverty.

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Find out about the Catholic charities in Scotland that help to tackle poverty.

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Watch this video all about SCIAF

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As a school, support a Church charity dedicated to improving water supplies to those who need it most. 

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As a school, support a Church charity dedicated to improving water supplies to those who need it most. 

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Find out about SCIAF's focus on water.

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Without clean water, people spend their days carrying heavy loads, rather than working for their families and building a better future.

It's gruelling and often dangerous work. In addition, without water, crops wither and livestock die.

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Without clean water, people spend their days carrying heavy loads, rather than working for their families and building a better future. It's gruelling and often dangerous work. In addition, without water, crops wither and livestock die.

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Find out about the Catholic charities in Scotland that help to tackle poverty.

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Find out about the Catholic charities in Scotland that help to tackle poverty.

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Take our 'SCIAF - What we do' Quiz today!

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Join a game of kahoot here. Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn - any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!

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As a school, support a Church charity dedicated to improving water supplies to those who need it most.

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As a school, support a Church charity dedicated to improving water supplies to those who need it most.

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Shop SCIAF Real Gifts which have a focus on water

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Gifts that make a difference to people in the world’s poorest places. Real Gifts are beautiful, ethical charity gifts for your friends, family and loved ones.

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Write a letter to family members asking them to make small changes that will benefit the poor and why that is important to you. Example: Ask them to buy a SCIAF Real Gift for someone's birthday 

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Write a letter to family members asking them to make small changes that will benefit the poor and why that is important to you. Example: Ask them to buy a SCIAF Real Gift for someone's birthday 

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Read all about SCIAF Real Gifts

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Gifts that make a difference to people in the world's poorest places. Real Gifts are beautiful, ethical charity gifts for your friends, family and loved ones.

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Find out about the Catholic charities in Scotland that help to tackle poverty.

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Find out about the Catholic charities in Scotland that help to tackle poverty.

# data[].attributes.body
Take our SCIAF Real Gifts Kahoot Quiz

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Join a game of kahoot here. Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn - any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!

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Find out about the damage we are doing to the earth through over consumption. (Start by thinking about clothing - How much do we throw away? How does the fashion industry impact our environment?) 

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Find out about the damage we are doing to the earth through over consumption. (Start by thinking about clothing - How much do we throw away? How does the fashion industry impact our environment?) 

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Invisible Water - A game where students determine how many liters of water are needed to produce everyday items including clothes.

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Join a game of kahoot here. Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn - any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!

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Look at stories from local and global charities that show how one person's love has inspired big changes. 

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Look at stories from local and global charities that show how one person's love has inspired big changes. 

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Sr Giovana is a remarkable Comboni Sister that SCIAF works with in Uganda. This is her story, in her own words.

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Find out about SCIAFs work to help people start their own businesses. 

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Find out about SCIAFs work to help people start their own businesses. 

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SCIAF have helped more than 1,400 young people in Malawi learn new vocational skills, so they can build brighter futures. This is Swema's shining success story!

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Swema's story: A door to a brighter future

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Find out about SCIAFs work to help people start their own businesses. 

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Find out about SCIAFs work to help people start their own businesses. 

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SCIAF's Hope for Youth project has opened many doors for vulnerable young people in Malawi. Young women and men have completed training in a range of technical skills, giving them life-changing access to apprenticeships and employment.

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Consider taking part in the "Talented Fundraisers" project with SCIAF. 

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Consider taking part in the "Talented Fundraisers" project with SCIAF. 

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Read about Talented Fundraisers and book a launch session.

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The fundraising project is all about giving young people the opportunity to use their creativity, enterprise and other God-given talents to raise awareness and funds for the work of SCIAF. By trusting the students with an initial loan, they can take control of the project and learn through doing.

All the money is then returned to SCIAF to support our work providing long term development and emergency help to people around the world.

The project reflects some of SCIAF's work overseas helping communities to set up saving and loan co-operatives. We provide the tools and training they need to set up a small business in their community, helping people to work their way out of poverty.

You can download and read our Talented Fundraisers Resources to find out everything you need to know to start your project.

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Make a pledge to make one change to something "simple" that will benefit future generations.

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Make a pledge to make one change to something "simple" that will benefit future generations.

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Watch this video and make an Acts of Hope pledge

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Make a pledge to make one change to something "simple" that will benefit future generations.

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Make a pledge to make one change to something "simple" that will benefit future generations.

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Watch this video to get some inspiration for your Acts of Hope.

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Learn about the global water crises and take part in the invisible water activity. 

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Learn about the global water crises and take part in the invisible water activity. 

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Invisible Water - A game where students determine how many litres of water are needed to produce everyday items.

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Join a game of kahoot here. Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn - any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!

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Learn about the dangers facing children in other parts of the world because of poverty or environmental changes. 

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Learn about the dangers facing children in other parts of the world because of poverty or environmental changes. 

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Play SCIAF's Climate Emergency Game

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Dirty water devastates lives. Clean water changes them. Find out about SCIAF's focus on water.

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Without clean water, people spend their days carrying heavy loads, rather than working for their families and building a better future.

It's gruelling and often dangerous work. In addition, without water, crops wither and livestock die.

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Without clean water, people spend their days carrying heavy loads, rather than working for their families and building a better future. It's gruelling and often dangerous work. In addition, without water, crops wither and livestock die.

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Investigate "land grabbing" and write a project on how this is an in-just practice which exploits the poor to make money for the rich. 

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Investigate "land grabbing" and write a project on how this is an in-just practice which exploits the poor to make money for the rich. 

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Watch this video (Spanish with subtitles) to hear how SCIAF are standing side by side with communities in Colombia to strengthen their land rights and their quality of life.

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Investigate the lives of inspirational people who have lived their Christian vocation to protect God's handiwork. 

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Investigate the lives of inspirational people who have lived their Christian vocation to protect God's handiwork. 

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Short film about the Guardians of the Atrato and the work done by SCIAF and our partners to support this inspiring environmental work.

# data[].attributes.headline
Investigate "land grabbing" and write a project on how this is an in-just practice which exploits the poor to make money for the rich. 

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Investigate "land grabbing" and write a project on how this is an in-just practice which exploits the poor to make money for the rich. 

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Watch this short video diary from David Pratt, foreign editor at the Herald and Sunday Herald. He joined SCIAF in Colombia to meet indigenous communities and learn about the struggles they face with illegal mining.

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David Pratt in Colombia with SCIAF 4 of 5

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Investigate "land grabbing" and write a project on how this is an in-just practice which exploits the poor to make money for the rich. 

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Investigate "land grabbing" and write a project on how this is an in-just practice which exploits the poor to make money for the rich. 

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Read about our work in Colombia including helping indigenous communities to access legal rights to their ancestral lands.

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For six decades, a violent civil war involving guerrilla groups, private armed groups, drug cartels and government forces left hundreds of thousands of people dead and forced nearly seven million to flee their homes . , conflict remains and Colombia has one of the highest number of internally displaced people in the world . P overty and displacement continue to be significant problems .

SCIAF has been working in Colombia since 1985, focus ing on promoting peace , helping indigenous and afro-Colombian people to preserve their land , protect their land rights, and protect themselves from threats from illegal mining operations. We're helping communities who were forced to flee their homes to stand up for their rights and reclaim legal access to their land. We also provide seeds, tools, livestock and training to marginali s ed communities , so they can grow more food and support themselves.

Access to peace & justice: Supporting people to live as families in strong, vibrant communities which are safe, peaceful, and just

Leadership skills: Training new leaders to advocate for their community's needs, focusing particularly on those most under-represented such as women and minority communities

Livelihoods: Ensuring families can increase and diversify their income, providing for immediate needs and allowing them to save for the future

Natural resource management: Supporting Indigenous communities to restore and protect their land, soils, water and environments they live in

Disaster risk reduction: Helping communities to prepare for and cope with disasters, minimising the risk to lives and livelihoods

Humanitarian response: Through our local partners, we respond to the humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable, who are affected by conflict-related and natural disasters.

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For six decades, a violent civil war involving guerrilla groups, private armed groups, drug cartels and government forces left hundreds of thousands of people dead and forced nearly seven million to flee their homes . , conflict remains and Colombia has one of the highest number of internally displaced people in the world .

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Investigate "land grabbing" and write a project on how this is an in-just practice which exploits the poor to make money for the rich. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Investigate "land grabbing" and write a project on how this is an in-just practice which exploits the poor to make money for the rich. 

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Read this article, written by Sour Peakei, explaining how a SCIAF project has helped his community in Cambodia, where there has been 'land-grabbing'.

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Sour Peakei is one of the many people in Cambodia who is being helped thanks to your generous donations. He explains the difference SCIAF’s support has made to his life.

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Make a pledge to make one change to something "simple" that will benefit future generations. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Make a pledge to make one change to something "simple" that will benefit future generations. 

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Find out about Acts of Hope to inspire your pledge

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Find out about SCIAFs work to help people start their own businesses. 

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Find out about SCIAFs work to help people start their own businesses. 

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Meet Rosine from Rwanda - she's making a living through her small business thanks to the support SCIAF provided.

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Wee Box 2015 - Cassava Croquettes with Rosine

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Find out about the Catholic charities in Scotland that help to tackle poverty.

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Find out about the Catholic charities in Scotland that help to tackle poverty.

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Read about SCIAF's response to the hunger crisis.

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Access to the seeds, tools and training needed to grow food that's resistant to a changing climate We're helping families to grow food, whatever the weather. We work with them to establish vegetable gardens, providing drought resistant seeds, helping to diversify what they grow and how they farm, and installing solutions like solar irrigation pumps to water crops when drought hits.

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Learn about how communities in another part of the world are impacted by climate change, and how the church there is responding.

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Learn about how communities in another part of the world are impacted by climate change, and how the church there is responding.

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Read about SCIAF's response to emergencies.

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We've been responding to humanitarian emergencies since 1968, when the Scottish Catholic community responded to our Gospel call for a just world, giving money to help people affected by the 1968 famine in Biafra (now part of south-eastern Nigeria) and drought in Bihar in India.

Your support over the last five decades has helped us respond to emergencies like promoting peace in Rwanda after the 1994 genocide, and getting life-saving aid and long-term support to families devastated by the Asian Tsunami of 2004.

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We've been responding to humanitarian emergencies since 1968, when the Scottish Catholic community responded to our Gospel call for a just world, giving money to help people affected by the 1968 famine in Biafra (now part of south-eastern Nigeria) and drought in Bihar in India.

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Using the SCIAF resource 'Water is Life', look at the sacredness of water within Scripture using the activities suggested. 

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Using the SCIAF resource 'Water is Life', look at the sacredness of water within Scripture using the activities suggested. 

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A SCIAF resource looking at the sacredness of water

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A Primary 5 resource which connects key themes from Laudato Si' with the global water crisis.
Three lessons cover the sacredness of water in Scripture, the global water crisis and SCIAF and our partner's work in Ethiopia. An optional art activity accompanies each lesson and an assembly drama along with other ideas for sharing learning are included as well.

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A Primary 5 resource which connects key themes from Laudato Si' with the global water crisis. Three lessons cover the sacredness of water in Scripture, the global water crisis and SCIAF and our partner's work in Ethiopia. An optional art activity accompanies each lesson and an assembly drama along with other ideas for sharing learning are included as well.

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Find out about the Catholic charities in Scotland that help to tackle poverty 

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Find out about the Catholic charities in Scotland that help to tackle poverty 

# data[].attributes.body
Read about the impact SCIAF had in the last year

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Beatrice

Beatrice is part of a women's society in Zambia. Thanks to your support, she's learnt how to grow food that can better survive the changing climate,

"With the changing weather things can be so difficult. But I learnt organic farming and drip irrigation, and now we can eat properly, we have a good diet. We only used to grow maize, but now we can grow many different kinds of crops.

"We used to depend on the rainy season but now we can grow crops all year round. We all share food to eat and sell some too if there's excess.

"Thank you so much to SCIAF. We now have such a strong hope."

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Beatrice Beatrice is part of a women's society in Zambia. Thanks to your support, she's learnt how to grow food that can better survive the changing climate, "With the changing weather things can be so difficult. But I learnt organic farming and drip irrigation, and now we can eat properly, we have a good diet.

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Choose one of SCIAF's projects and find out how it benefits the environment.

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Choose one of SCIAF's projects and find out how it benefits the environment.

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Featuring short stories from Zambia, Malawi and Ethiopia

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Learn about how communities in another part of the world are impacted by climate change, and how the church there is responding. 

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Learn about how communities in another part of the world are impacted by climate change, and how the church there is responding. 

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Read this article from Julius Ng'oma on why climate justice is so important.

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Look at stories from local and global charities that show how one person's love has inspired big changes.

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Look at stories from local and global charities that show how one person's love has inspired big changes.

# data[].attributes.body
Find out who YOUR Climate Hero is in our new SCIAF quiz

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Make a pledge to make one change to something "simple" that will benefit future generations. 

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Make a pledge to make one change to something "simple" that will benefit future generations. 

# data[].attributes.body
Use this game as an introduction to thinking about ways we harm creation and recognise how easy it is for us all to contribute to climate change and how we can measure its impact.

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This game is a good introduction to understanding how we contribute to climate change and how we can measure its impact.

# data[].attributes.headline
Learn about how communities in another part of the world are impacted by climate change, and how the church there is responding. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Learn about how communities in another part of the world are impacted by climate change, and how the church there is responding. 

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Read this article to find out how climate change is affecting communities in El Salvador.

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Learn about how water resources are threatened around the world.

# data[].attributes.subject
Learn about how water resources are threatened around the world.

# data[].attributes.body
Find out more about the global water crisis.

# data[].attributes.headline
Learn about how water resources are threatened around the world.

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Learn about how water resources are threatened around the world.

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SCIAF Water stories from Ethiopia

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Consider taking part in the Talented Fundraisers project with SCIAF

# data[].attributes.subject
Consider taking part in the Talented Fundraisers project with SCIAF

# data[].attributes.headline
Choose one of SCIAF's projects and find out how it benefits the environment.

# data[].attributes.subject
Choose one of SCIAF's projects and find out how it benefits the environment.

# data[].attributes.body
Short film about the Guardians of the Atrato and the work done by SCIAF and our partners to support this inspiring environmental work in Colombia.
In Spanish (with subs) and English

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Choose one of SCIAF's projects and find out how it benefits the environment.

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Choose one of SCIAF's projects and find out how it benefits the environment.

# data[].attributes.body
Watch this Season of Creation live video sharing how communities are putting the call to care for creation into practice in schools and parishes.

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SCIAF | LIVE ASSEMBLY | Season of Creation

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Investigate the lives of inspirational people who have lived their Christian vocation to protect God's handiwork. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Investigate the lives of inspirational people who have lived their Christian vocation to protect God's handiwork. 

# data[].attributes.body
For COP26, 30 pilgrims walked across Europe to Glasgow. This film follows their arrival into Scotland, after journeys of more than 1,500km. Their mission is to tell world leaders at COP26 – and everyone they meet along the way – that we must act now to end the Climate Emergency.

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After using the SCIAF resource Water is Life, use the assembly outline contained within the resource so pupils can teach the rest of the school community including parents and carers.

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After using the SCIAF resource Water is Life, use the assembly outline contained within the resource so pupils can teach the rest of the school community including parents and carers.

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Prayers for an assembly focused on water

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After using the SCIAF resource Water is Life, use the assembly outline contained within the resource so pupils can teach the rest of the school community including parents and carers.

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After using the SCIAF resource Water is Life, use the assembly outline contained within the resource so pupils can teach the rest of the school community including parents and carers.

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Assembly PPT - When we come together as one

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Learn about and support a project that works to help children in other parts of the world have a "better tomorrow" 

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Learn about and support a project that works to help children in other parts of the world have a "better tomorrow" 

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Watch this video to follow a day in the life of Nulai from Cambodia.

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Learn about and support a project that works to help children in other parts of the world have a "better tomorrow" 

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Learn about and support a project that works to help children in other parts of the world have a "better tomorrow" 

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Watch this video to follow a day in the life of Gertrude from Zambia.

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SCIAF | A Day in the Life of Gertrude | WEE BOX 2023

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Investigate the lives of inspirational people who have lived their Christian vocation to protect God's handiwork. 

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Investigate the lives of inspirational people who have lived their Christian vocation to protect God's handiwork. 

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Find out who YOUR Climate Hero is in our new SCIAF quiz

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Learn about how water resources are threatened around the world.

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Learn about how water resources are threatened around the world.

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SCIAF Water stories from Ethiopia

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Find out about SCIAFs work to help people start their own businesses. 

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Find out about SCIAFs work to help people start their own businesses. 

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Read Susan's story on setting up a tailoring business in Malawi.

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We’re working with many of the most vulnerable communities to help them grow more food, putting basic irrigation systems in place, and ensuring they have the business skills they need to support themselves and their families.

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Learn about the dangers facing children in other parts of the world because of poverty or environmental changes. 

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Learn about the dangers facing children in other parts of the world because of poverty or environmental changes. 

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Play SCIAF's Climate Emergency Game online.

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Learn about the dangers facing children in other parts of the world because of poverty or environmental changes. 

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Learn about the dangers facing children in other parts of the world because of poverty or environmental changes. 

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Download SCIAF's Climate Emergency Game pack to play offline.

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Play the SCIAF Real Gifts matching game!

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Share the SCIAF Real Gifts PowerPoint to let people know why it's important to you.

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Find out how a recent natural disaster has impacted on the poor of that country.

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Find out how a recent natural disaster has impacted on the poor of that country.

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Read about our response to the 2020 landslide in DR Congo.

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When disasters strike, we respond immediately as part the Caritas family, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and healing the wounded - and we stay for the long term, rebuilding lives and communities. Over the past five decades, thanks to your donations, we have helped support hundreds of emergencies across the world.
In this long-read, we take a look at why SCIAF is able to respond so quickly to emergencies around the world, the difference your donations make, and how we support people to rebuild their lives in the longer term.

Humanitarian emergencies

Humanitarian emergencies happen every day. Most emergency situations are small-scale and go unnoticed by the world media, but are nevertheless devastating for those caught up in them - like a landslide that hits a community, or a flood that washes away a family's crops. Some, however, affect entire countries or regions, and have a long-term impact on society - catastrophes such as wars, major natural disasters like tsunamis, or even global health crises.

SCIAF has been responding to humanitarian emergencies like these since 1968, when the Scottish Catholic community reached out with love to those experiencing famine in Biafra (which is now part of south-eastern Nigeria) and drought in Bihar in India.

Global network, local response

We are able to respond to emergencies around the world because we are part of the global Catholic network, Caritas International. This confederation includes more than 160 organisations and operates in over 200 countries and territories. Close to home, the Caritas agency of England and Wales is called CAFOD; in Ireland it's Trócaire.

This unique web of humanitarian organisations means that whenever an emergency happens we can respond quickly and effectively anywhere in the world - and especially in those places that are hard to reach. Straight away, fully trained staff and personnel can begin work, delivering whatever is required - whether food and water, hygiene facilities, shelter or medical care. And, in the wake of an emergency, we can immediately draw on the talents of our international colleagues to design the best possible programmes, as they know the areas affected and their specific needs.

In Ukraine, for instance, the conflict escalated rapidly - but Caritas Ukraine was able to respond immediately, communicating what support they required and when, and ensuring we didn't duplicate the efforts of other aid agencies. We also had ready-made infrastructure which we could use - the Catholic Church in Ukraine owned buildings that were quickly converted into refuges for internally displaced people, Caritas Poland offered a warehouse to store supplies, and other neighbouring Caritas organisations provided emergency supplies and safe spaces for refugees fleeing danger.

The expertise and reach of the global Caritas network make us go-to humanitarian experts whenever a crisis hits. It's why supporting SCIAF's emergency work is so effective.

Emergency relief

Each emergency is uniquely distressing and complicated for those who are caught up - as well as for those who are trying to help. But what remains the same is how emergencies force those affected into extremely scary and abnormal situations. Our response must, therefore, prioritise resolving this fear and uncertainty.

Often, this means we provide essential supplies and basic support first: quickly offering food, clean water, shelter, medicine, access to healthcare, and cash, so that people feel supported, comforted, and safe during their darkest hours.

But we know that thriving as a human being is more than just a question of meeting basic needs. This means that even during our emergency response we continue to follow our Integral Human Development approach, meeting the needs of the 'whole person'.

A space for people to practise their religion may be critical; or we might organise group sessions where people can come together and share their experiences, creating a sense of solidarity and community.

Rebuilding and recovering

After disaster strikes, we work collaboratively with the communities we serve to help meet their needs and their aspirations for the future. With our local partners, we listen to what challenges they face, and work together to design projects where our support can make the biggest difference.

What really sets SCIAF, and Caritas International, apart is that we are there before, during and after an emergency - staying for the long term, not just the immediate aftermath. Side-by-side we stand in solidarity as we help people rebuild their lives. Longer term, projects may include repairing roads, schools and hospitals, or providing the skills and education that people need to work themselves out of poverty.

Prevention is better than cure

Our modern world is grappling with several major issues all at once - problems that make emergencies more likely and more extreme. We must, therefore, prepare communities for the worst in the short term, while working together to tackle the longer-term factors that make emergencies more likely.

Reducing risk for the future

In the communities we work with, we help them reduce the risks they face - the chance a person, family or community will be hurt by future crises. This might mean, for instance, encouraging the use of climate-resilient methods of growing food, so farming families can cope with extreme drought or flooding. Or helping communities to set up savings and insurance schemes, so that if the worst happens there is a safety net in place that allows them to access money. For tackling the long-term risk factors for emergencies, advocacy is one of our key strategies - and specialties. Thanks to your support, we encourage global action on climate change, and we also make sure that international development is at the top of government agendas so that more support and better opportunities can be delivered to those who are most at risk.

Landslide in DR Congo

in January 2020, a landslide ripped into a community in the city of Bukavu in DR Congo, bringing with it death and destruction. But sadly, it was an emergency waiting to happen.
Facing the news of a landslide in DR Congo
In DR Congo, extreme poverty - driven by global inequality - forces families to live on extremely marginal and unsafe land. Homes are perched on steep slopes, beneath unstable cliffs. At the same time, climate change is causing more regular and more intense storms to take place in this part of Africa. And, on this occasion, it was one of these extreme weather events which caused the devastating landslide. Homes were destroyed, and five children and a woman lost their lives.

Sadly, this event was predictable: the consequence of an unjust and environmentally-degraded world. So, while SCIAF will continue to be there to provide relief when emergencies like this strike, it remains the case that we must address the systemic issues that drive disasters if we are truly to build God's Kingdom here on Earth. As Pope Francis says in his encyclical Laudauto Si', we must respond to both "the cry of the earth, and the cry of the poor."

Rebuilding lives in Syria

The conflict in Syria has continued for more than 11 years, bringing with it widespread suffering. At least 510,000 people have died, with 13.4 million in need of humanitarian assistance. Thanks to your repeated generosity, we have been responding to this crisis for more than a decade.
Hahmoud Al-Hassan, Aleppo, Syria
Working with our sister agency CAFOD, our support has focused on delivering essential food, shelter, clean water, sanitation, and medical services, alongside the long-term rebuilding of infrastructure, livelihoods, homes and cultural life; facilitating community peace-building and reconciliation; and advocating for a political solution to the war in Syria.

Funding from the Scottish Government

Thanks to the global reach of the Caritas network - and our proven track record of support - SCIAF is a select panel member of the Scottish Government's Humanitarian Emergency Fund. In 2021 and 2022, this resulted in the award of more than £281,950 from the Scottish Government to provide emergency humanitarian assistance in South Sudan, Afghanistan and Ethiopia respectively.

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Humanitarian emergencies: how we respond with love

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When disasters strike, we respond immediately as part the Caritas family, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and healing the wounded - and we stay for the long term, rebuilding lives and communities. Over the past five decades, thanks to your donations, we have helped support hundreds of emergencies across the world.

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Make a pledge to make one change to something "simple" that will benefit future generations.

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Make a pledge to make one change to something "simple" that will benefit future generations.

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Find out about Loss and Damage and how you can campaign for change.

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SCIAF intends to campaign on Loss and Damage as part of our climate justice work in the run up to COP27 and beyond. This short guide explains what Loss and Damage is, and why it’s crucial that real progress is made at COP27.

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Why do we campaign? Find out and share with others.

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Why do we campaign? Find out and share with others.

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Together we put pressure on governments to care for the planet and create a fairer, more peaceful world.

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Together we put pressure on governments to care for the planet and create a fairer, more peaceful world.

The world exists for us all, yet every day, billions of men, women and children are deprived of food, water and dignity. But it doesn't have to be this way. Together we campaign to promote justice and build peace, so that we can all live in His love and justice, free from fear and persecution.
View our current campaigns below.

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The world exists for us all, yet every day, billions of men, women and children are deprived of food, water and dignity. But it doesn't have to be this way. Together we campaign to promote justice and build peace, so that we can all live in His love and justice, free from fear and persecution.

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Hear from Julien how Water for a Village has helped transform her life, from accessing water at home to irrigating her crops.

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As a school, support a Church charity dedicated to improving water supplies to those who need it most.

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As a school, support a Church charity dedicated to improving water supplies to those who need it most.

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Hear from Julien how Water for a Village has helped transform her life, from accessing water at home to irrigating her crops.

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Learn about and support a project that works to help children in other parts of the world have a "better tomorrow" 

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Learn about and support a project that works to help children in other parts of the world have a "better tomorrow" 

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Hear from SCIAF's partner Gulliver Ishmael about our life-changing work in South Sudan, supporting access to education for young people with disabilities.

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SCIAF | A Prayer for Ethiopia by Bishop Brian

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Find out how a recent natural disaster has impacted on the poor of that country. 

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Find out how a recent natural disaster has impacted on the poor of that country. 

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Thanks to funding from the Scottish Government HEF Fund, SCIAF are responding to Cyclone Freddy which struck Malawi in 2023.