Zeynep had broken her back when a wall collapsed on her during the earthquake that hit Turkey in February last year yet she was still the backbone of her family, holding it together for everyone. This International Women’s Day I want to share the stories of three women who are putting others first despite their own challenges, writes Shagufta Yaqub.

Seven DEC charities are working either directly or through local partners to help people affected by the flooding, including search and rescue operations, providing food and clean water and by receiving evacuees in Mykolaiv, Odesa and other cities.