On Saturday, 29 November, teams converged on Victoria University of Wellington to compete in our annual international humanitarian law Moot Court competition.

Humanitarian law — also known as the rules of war — applies to armed conflicts. Humanitarian law protects people who aren’t directly involved in armed conflict and restricts what those involved can do.

In recent days, intense monsoon rains and a series of powerful storms have caused widespread flooding and landslides across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia. Rivers have burst their banks, entire neighbourhoods have been destroyed, and families have had to flee at short notice as water levels rose rapidly. Tragically, more than 1,400 people have lost their lives, with many still unaccounted for and millions affected across the region.

Imagine how you would cope if you were forced to start your life all over again. Starting from scratch in a foreign country, far away from friends and family, from familiar surroundings – and all in a language you can’t read or speak.

For Dee Magee, owner of a busy pharmacy in Nelson’s Victory Square, a business challenge in 2013 became an opportunity that transformed her workplace and deepened her connection to the community. As more families from refugee backgrounds settled in the area, Dee recognised a growing communication barrier that could impact patient safety.

Over this past year, we’ve continued to support vulnerable people at home and overseas, while making progress to achieve our 10-year strategic plan.