Emergency Relief

When disaster strikes, we adopt a “first in, last out” approach. We first reach survivors with life-saving aid to meet their immediate needs and then stay for the long-term to support their recovery and rebuilding.

Types of Emergencies

World Vision responds to two main types of emergency:

 

  • Rapid-onset, fast hitting natural disasters: earthquakes, cyclones, floods and tsunamis
  • Slow-onset disasters: droughts, famine and suffering caused by conflict and war

 

In large responses, World Vision coordinates with other aid agencies to avoid duplication and make sure there are no gaps in the response.

 

Your support will help us respond rapidly to save lives and protect children affected by disasters. 

We Respond. Then We Stay.

With staff members in nearly 100 countries, pre-positioned relief items and trained response teams, we respond to disasters speedily and effectively. We are on the ground before, during and after a disaster to help children and families not just cope, but thrive with dignity. 

 

Relief | After an emergency event, World Vision’s priority is to save lives. We distribute aid to meet basic needs like clean water, food and non-food items. To help children heal and provide them with psychosocial support, we set up Child-Friendly Spaces where children can play, learn, make friends, develop routines and feel safe.

 

Recovery | In the initial years after the emergency, we partner with relevant stakeholders to provide educational opportunities for children, ensure the availability of basic healthcare and clean water, and re-establish family livelihoods to improve their access to sustainable food sources.

 

Rehabilitation | For the next couple of years, we help communities return to pre-disaster conditions or better, train and empower them to increase and diversify their incomes, and support sustainable development projects such as improved water systems, nutritional practices and healthcare facilities.

Current Relief Efforts

Türkiye and Syria Earthquake Response

On the morning of 6 February 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit a wide area in South-eastern Türkiye and Northern Syria. World Vision is already responding – providing aid to the most vulnerable children and families. Your contribution will help meet the needs of people devastated by the disaster and care for children whose families aren’t able to amid this crisis.


Ukraine Crisis Response

As the conflict in Ukraine rages, World Vision is mobilising in the region to provide emergency supplies and assistance for children and families who are fleeing violence. Your contribution will help meet the needs of people fleeing the violent conflict in Ukraine. This includes emergency assistance packages, as well as psychosocial and educational support for children and families, including child-friendly spaces. If sufficient funding has been raised for this appeal, your donation will be channelled to the next most urgent response.


Afghanistan Appeal

With decades of war, displacement and now a sudden change of rule compounded by COVID-19 and the massive food insecurity, children and families in Afghanistan are at breaking point. But World Vision is on the ground and we are committed to stay. We aim to meet urgent food, water, sanitation, healthcare and protection needs.


Myanmar-Bangladesh Refugee Crisis

Over 500,000 people have fled to Bangladesh after violence erupted in Myanmar’s Rakhine State on 25 August 2017. Many of these refugees are going without food, clean water, healthcare and other necessities. World Vision is on the ground in Bangladesh to distribute emergency food and relief supplies to assist refugees during this difficult situation.

Syria Crisis Response

The conflict in Syria has dragged on for ten years, turning the country into one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a child. Since the start of the conflict, World Vision has been on the front lines, working in Syria and among refugee communities in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq to bring aid to those that have been affected.

Yemen Crisis

The Yemen war, now the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, has left 24 million people or 80% of the country’s population in need of aid. More than half of them are children. In addition to horrific violence, people are suffering from hunger and deprivation. World Vision is working to improve healthcare access and reduce acute malnutrition among children and pregnant and lactating women.

Past Relief Efforts

  • Lebanon Emergency Appeal

    A massive explosion shook Beirut on 4 August 2020 killing hundreds, wounding thousands and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.

  • DR Congo Ebola Crisis

    From 2018 to 2020, the children and communities in Eastern DR Congo had to contend with the second largest Ebola outbreak in history. 

  • South Sudan Refugee Crisis

    The South Sudan conflict that began in 2013 uprooted families and caused hunger and suffering. Millions fled to neighbouring countries as refugees. 

  • Sulawesi Earthquake & Tsunami

    On 28 September 2018, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake – followed by a tsunami – hit the Donggala, Palu and Mamuju areas in Central Sulawesi Province. 

  • Lombok Earthquake

    On 29 July 2018, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck the north coast of Lombok Island. One week later on 5 August 2018, the island was hit by a second earthquake.

  • South Asia Floods - India

    The South Asia region has been inundated by severe monsoon floods, affecting millions, destroying livelihoods and displacing families from their homes.

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