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How we respond to global disasters


Media contacts
Casey Calamusa | 206.310.5476 (c)
Rachel Wolff | 253.394.2214(c)
How we respond in disasters in the U.S.
Pre-positioned staff, goods and funds


Preparation

Supplies—World Vision’s strategically located disaster response warehouses are pre-stocked with relief supplies for rapid shipment in response to a crisis anywhere in the world.

Awareness—We monitor nature’s early warning signals—threats of typhoons, hurricanes or famine—to anticipate needs and reduce the impact of a catastrophe.

Training—Our staff in all regions of the world is trained in emergency preparedness and train community leaders how to prepare for and mitigate the impact of disasters they are likely to face in their area.


When disaster strikes, World Vision is prepared. Our supplies are ready, our staff poised, and our decades of experience help us make critical decisions quickly.


Fast Facts

  • 90 percent of all disaster victims live in developing countries, where poverty and lack of resources exacerbate the suffering.
    Source: United Nations, 1999
  • In 2008, there were an estimated 10.5 million refugees globally.
    Source: UNHCR, 2009
  • Disaster mitigation can help protect the 10 million people who live in areas prone to devastating floods.


Response

Expert Teams—World Vision’s 35-member Global Rapid Response Team stands ready for deployment within 24 to 72 hours of a disaster.

Local Partnerships—Aware of the complexity of most disasters, World Vision often partners with other international and local relief agencies and local leaders to maximize the speed and effectiveness of our response.

Immediate Aid—World Vision provides urgent humanitarian relief and services for impacted children and families.

Child-Friendly Spaces—These innovative centers offer children a safe place to play, begin emotional healing and re-establish a normal routine.

Rebuilding

Asset Restoration—World Vision facilitates a return to normalcy by restoring water sources, food, health care services, educational resources and shelter lost in the disaster.

Economic Development—We work to jump-start damaged local economies—and drastically reduce the need for ongoing assistance—by providing in-kind or cash loans to small business owners, farmers, herders and fishermen.

Peacebuilding—In areas impacted by civil conflict,World Vision engages in reconciliation, mediation, and partnership-building efforts between opposing groups.

Long-Term Development—With a commitment to recovery, our emergency interventions often lead to long-term development programs such as child sponsorship.


Learn more

> 2006 Review of Global Emergency Response [PDF, 44 pgs, 2 MB]
> Global Rapid Response Team [PDF, 2 pgs, 138 KB]
> Global Pre-Postioning and Response Network [PDF, 2 pgs, 145.7 KB]
> Current Disaster Responses


Media Contacts

Rachel Wolff
News Bureau Sr. Director
24/7 media hotline
Email Rachel
253.394.2214 (c)
Laura Blank
International news
Disaster response
Email Laura
708.872.5265 (c)
Mindy Mizell
U.S. disasters
Local U.S. stories
Email Mindy
202.355.3690 (c)
John Yeager
Feature stories
Surveys and trends
Email John
253.815.2356 (o)
425.765.9845 (c)
More media contacts


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World Vision
Phone: 1-888-511-6548
P.O. Box 9716
Federal Way,WA 98063-9716
© 2012 World Vision Inc.
World Vision, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible in full or in part.