Spring brings renewed energy, and we’ve channeled it into our mission to support those in crisis. In April, we focused on urgent disaster response while continuing to support communities still recovering from long-term crises. Our team also grew stronger, refining our strategy and streamlining logistics for greater impact.
Here’s what we’ve been up to:
Instant crisis response – Myanmar earthquake
106 families in Sagaing received a one-month supply of rice, supported by People for People and Medical Action Myanmar (MAM).
Following the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28th, we swiftly identified trusted NGOs in Myanmar, including MAM (Medical Action Myanmar), as key partners in providing emergency relief to families struggling to meet their basic needs after the earthquakes destroyed their homes.
We’re still working closely with MAM and other organizations active on the ground, to identify and deliver most pressing needs. Our collaboration focuses on emergency supplies such as food and clean water, shelter materials – such as mosquito nets, blankets, and floormats, and essential household items – such as solar lights, flashlights, basic clothing and slippers.
Ongoing crisis response – Morocco 2023 earthquake
The 2023 earthquake in Morocco no longer dominates headlines, but the needs remain real. As People for People, we believe in going the extra mile — finding the gaps, reaching those left behind, and continuing support even after the spotlight fades.
Over a year ago, we shipped 20,000 relief supplies to Morocco in partnership with Sheltersuit Foundation and Winning Wheels. Since then, we’ve received ongoing reports that some rural communities remain underserved, especially in remote areas where damaged schools are making it hard for children to continue their education.
In January, we returned to Morocco to conduct joint assessments with SOS Morocco, identifying 4 of the most affected villages in the Al Haouz region of the Atlas Mountains. Since then, April has been dedicated to preparing the logistics of this follow-up mission — working with our partners in both the Netherlands and Morocco, and coordinating with the local communities in Al Haouz.
In June, we will:
· Ship and install relief housing units, in partnership with Better Shelter, to be used as temporary classrooms.
· Deliver school equipment and stationery donated by our partners.
· Train local volunteers and community groups to maintain and safeguard the shelters long-term.
Children’s mental wellbeing
The mental wellbeing of children who arrive in the Netherlands without their families emerged as a key concern during our in-depth conversations with grassroots organizations at the start of this year. Through our Rolling Aid Events, we already prioritize the wellbeing of children in reception centres. Now, we’re exploring more ways to connect organizations and close the existing support gaps. More updates coming soon!
A new website
Our partners, volunteers and other supporters deserve the best user experience and the people we reach count on us to effectively communicate their story to the digital world. That’s why we’re working on a new website that combines a bold, user-friendly design with meaningful content. Key information will be easily found, ensuring getting involved is always a few clicks away. Keep your eyes peeled!
The warehouse: optimizing logistics and effective crisis distribution
With Tom, our Warehouse Logistics Lead, at the helm, we’ve significantly streamlined our warehouse operations and logistics chain. He and the team have been hard at work organizing critical supplies from our partners—ready for rapid deployment when crises strike. Curious about how it all works, or how your team can support our mission? Let’s talk.
Team expansion and an offsite workshop
With the addition of Lina and Jill, our new project manager, we’ve completed recruitment for our core team — now 13 strong!
To kick off this exciting phase, we held a two-day workshop in Bergen to reflect on our journey, refine our strategy, and plan for the future.
The workshop also reminded us that partnerships go far beyond financial support — they include sharing knowledge, skills, and spaces. We’re especially grateful to:
· wHERE – for hosting us in their beautiful Bergen space
· United Talent – for helping us explore our team dynamics and motivations
· Saskia van Erven – for leading grounding and energizing breathing sessions
Thursday Tee Time
We’re excited about a new tradition we’ve introduced within our team. The first Thursday of every month, we’re booking an hour to discuss various topics that guide our way and offer inspiration. For some of the sessions, we’re inviting external guests to draw from their valuable expertise. In our last tea time, we gladly had James Herbert, the co-director of Effective Altruism Netherlands who shared with us his thoughts on impartial altruism, open truth seeking, prioritization, and other topics.
We’re full of energy and ideas — and we’re ready for what lies ahead to support more people, together. Stay tuned for updates on our website and socials.
