More than 90 percent of natural disaster-related deaths occur in developing countries, where poverty and lack of resources exacerbate the suffering. We work in many of these countries, preparing for disasters before they happen, and responding quickly when they do. These accomplishments represent some of our 2012 impact:
Achievements made possible in 2012 with the support of all World Vision donors around the world.
Achievements made possible in 2012 with the support of all World Vision donors around the world.
Achievements made possible in 2012 with the support of all World Vision donors around the world.
OUTCOME REPORTS
On January 12, 2010, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, affecting more than 3 million people — one of every three. The quake killed 222,570 people and injured more than 300,000. More than 1 million people were left homeless and vulnerable. World Vision’s initial response efforts focused on the basics: food, shelter, water, and sanitation. Health clinics were set up to help care for the injured, and hospitals were stocked with medicines and equipment. After one year, emergency supplies were still being distributed to families. Two years later, World Vision is helping Haitian families rebuild lives and recover livelihoods.
When a 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Japan on March 11, 2011, a tsunami some 40 meters (133 feet) high was triggered. More than 15,000 people were killed, 300,000 were evacuated, and 3,100 people are still unaccounted for. A nuclear emergency was triggered in the Fukushima area. World Vision supported earthquake- and tsunami-affected communities with relief items; established community kitchens in evacuation centers; and set up Child-Friendly Spaces. The current recovery and rehabilitation phase of the response also incorporates an expansion of support to children; the recovery of livelihoods in the fishing industry; child-focused disaster preparedness; and support to Fukushima evacuees.
STORIES FROM THE FIELD
Jun 20, 2013
FAQs: War in Syria, children, and the refugee crisis
Updated: Read our overview of the Syrian refugee situation in Lebanon and World Vision’s response...
Jun 10, 2013
U.N. issues largest-ever emergency appeal for Syria crisis
UNICEF estimates that children make up more than half of the refugees fleeing Syria.
Jun 01, 2013
Oklahoma reels from more tornadoes; World Vision responding
World Vision is moving quickly to expand its tornado response beyond the earlier target of 25,000...
May 31, 2013
Aid worker’s diary: Syrian refugees’ strength and despair
A World Vision aid worker in Lebanon tells of the hope and care found amid dire circumstances.
May 24, 2013
VIDEO: A harrowing brush with a deadly tornado in Oklahoma
Area resident Deanna Stephens recounts her terrifying experience taking cover — and surviving — as...
OUR APPROACH
How quickly does World Vision respond to a disaster, and what is your immediate response?
When disaster strikes, World Vision adopts a “first-in, last-out” approach: We first respond with life-saving emergency aid, and then we stay for the long term to help families recover and rebuild.
- Within the first couple of hours after a disaster, World Vision staff members closest to the disaster respond with reports on the level of severity and need.
- Within 24 hours of the disaster, our global rapid response team is on the ground, making assessments and beginning to provide emergency relief.
- Within 72 hours of the disaster, our pre-positioned relief supplies are loaded up, transported, and distributed from local and international warehouses.
- For the first week, we continuously distribute emergency aid and relief to residents affected by the disaster.
Over the following month, we work to help families stabilize by providing assistance with temporary shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, child protection activities, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
How do you help residents recover from the trauma of disaster over the long term?
We are quick to respond to disasters, but we also focus on helping to rebuild the lives of disaster-affected families and communities over the long term. Large-scale disasters often leave hundreds of thousands of people homeless and vulnerable.
While emergency relief is necessary and saves lives, it is not enough. We help disaster survivors by assisting their transition from relief mode to recovery and rebuilding mode. This recovery and rebuilding phase involves a transition to permanent housing, clean water, sustainable sources of food, access to education, and re-established livelihoods.
When disaster strikes, which World Vision employees respond?
World Vision has a global rapid response team of 22 employees (when fully staffed) who are ready to respond immediately to large-scale emergencies occurring around the world. Team members live in 12 different countries and are of 10 different nationalities. Their specific skills and talents help to ensure that a professional and sustainable response will be immediate.
The global rapid response team includes relief managers, program officers, and specialists in health & nutrition, human resources, finance, logistics, security, food aid, child protection, information technology, and communications — all working as a team to provide effective emergency relief.
How do you prepare to make sure you’re ready when an emergency occurs?
Having a disaster response fund ready to use, pre-positioning supplies like non-food items, and having staff prepared and trained to respond to emergencies is increasingly important to how we respond to disasters.
The global pre-positioning resource network is our designated team that makes sure we’re prepared to respond rapidly to any disaster anywhere in the world. The team pre-positions the supplies and develops preparedness plans, programming standards, logistic assessments, and logistic plans. The supplies are ready to go in seven different warehouses that are strategically located all around the world. These relief supplies are ready for up to 225,000 beneficiaries at any time, ensuring that those affected by disasters will have emergency supplies distributed to them quickly and efficiently.
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