Disaster Relief
World Vision’s presence in nearly 100 countries enables us to quickly provide immediate support in all types of disasters and humanitarian crises — and we are committed to long-term support, staying to help children, families, and communities recover and rebuild.
Early in the war in Ukraine, World Vision worked as part of the N50 Project to provide Portable Connectivity Centers, where people fleeing could charge their devices and access information. As the war continues, the centers have become a place where children can pursue education, socialize, build connections, and take IT classes.
World Vision is continuing to support recovery efforts in the wake of the 2023 fires by aiding the work of local churches and community organizations through donations such as boxes of fresh food, household goods, hygiene supplies, and school backpacks.
When it comes to disaster response, World Vision stands at the forefront, responding swiftly to crises, both major and lesser-known, that impact vulnerable communities globally. From aiding displaced children in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to supporting millions affected by Amazon droughts and helping families in Sri Lanka’s internal upheaval, our commitment extends beyond the headline-making disasters. With a presence in nearly 100 countries, we respond with life-saving essentials to all types of disasters and equip vulnerable children, families, and communities with long-term solutions.
World Vision responded to 78
disasters and humanitarian emergencies in 59 countries, including the global hunger crisis.
Thanks to the support of World Vision donors around the world in 2023.
We reached 35.8 million
people affected by disasters and emergencies with critical aid and hope.
Thanks to the support of World Vision donors around the world in 2023.
World Vision is the World Food Programme’s largest distribution partner.
Our Disaster Response 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 to 72 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’s Global Rapid Response Team brings together international disaster experts from around the world, who are deployed within hours of a major emergency to support local teams and communities. The global rapid response team includes relief managers, program officers, and specialists in health and nutrition, human resources, finance, logistics, security, food aid, child protection, information technology, and communications — all working as a team to provide effective emergency relief.
In a large-scale response, World Vision collaborates with the United Nations and other local aid agencies. This collaboration helps avoid duplication, maximize efficiencies, ensure all needs are met, and eliminate gaps in humanitarian response.
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.
Disaster Response Resources
Venezuela 2 year report (pdf)
World Vision’s Venezuela response two years on has expanded to seven countries and reached more than 560,000 people with assistance in WASH, child protection, health, food security, livelihoods and education.
Syria 10 year report (pdf)
This report uses an evidence-base to show the incredible loss of human capital in Syria as a result of a continuous cycle of grave violations against children, heavy economic costs, and shattered opportunities for future generations.
World Vision’s presence in nearly 100 countries enables us to quickly provide immediate support in all types of disasters and humanitarian crises — and we are committed to long-term support, staying to help children, families, and communities recover and rebuild.
As the war in Ukraine continues to cause devastation and displacement, over 6.8 million refugees — primarily women and children — have sought safety worldwide. Children continue to experience disruptions in their education and lack safe and stable environments. Learn more about the conflict and what World Vision is doing to help people affected by the Ukraine crisis.
By air, land, and sea, World Vision is racing to deliver emergency food supplies across East Africa for families in need.
The Solidarity, a hospital ship operated by World Vision, has sailed to isolated communities to deliver food boxes, essential first-aid supplies, and provide medical care to 1,000 families in Brazil hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
World Vision responded to 78
disasters and humanitarian emergencies in 59 countries, including the global hunger crisis.
Thanks to the support of World Vision donors around the world in 2023.
We reached 35.8 million
people affected by disasters and emergencies with critical aid and hope.
Thanks to the support of World Vision donors around the world in 2023.
World Vision is the World Food Programme’s largest distribution partner.
Our Disaster Response 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 to 72 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’s Global Rapid Response Team brings together international disaster experts from around the world, who are deployed within hours of a major emergency to support local teams and communities. The global rapid response team includes relief managers, program officers, and specialists in health and nutrition, human resources, finance, logistics, security, food aid, child protection, information technology, and communications — all working as a team to provide effective emergency relief.
In a large-scale response, World Vision collaborates with the United Nations and other local aid agencies. This collaboration helps avoid duplication, maximize efficiencies, ensure all needs are met, and eliminate gaps in humanitarian response.
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.
Disaster Response Resources
Venezuela 2 year report (pdf)
World Vision’s Venezuela response two years on has expanded to seven countries and reached more than 560,000 people with assistance in WASH, child protection, health, food security, livelihoods and education.
Syria 10 year report (pdf)
This report uses an evidence-base to show the incredible loss of human capital in Syria as a result of a continuous cycle of grave violations against children, heavy economic costs, and shattered opportunities for future generations.
Ways to Give to Disaster Relief
Global Hunger Crisis Response
The largest global hunger crisis in modern history has left 30 million children dangerously malnourished, threatening their health, hope, and futures. World Vision is responding in 28 of the hardest-hit countries, and our track record is one of success. By the grace of God, over the last 10 years, 89% of the severely malnourished children we treated made a full recovery.
Thanks to donor contributions, combined with public grants from partnerships like these, every $1 you donate to Global Hunger Response delivers $7 in impact.
Become a Disaster Relief Partner
With decades of experience and an established network of global staff and pre-positioned resources, we respond to major emergencies worldwide quickly and effectively — and we stay to help rebuild lives for children, families, and communities.
Your support can help ensure rapid delivery of life-saving help and supplies, as well as long-term support to help vulnerable families recover. Thanks to donor contributions, combined with public grants from partnerships, every $1 you donate to the Disaster Relief Fund delivers $5 in impact.
Monthly giving is the most effective way to help children and families who need it most. Plus, it lowers costs, which means more of your gift helps kids!
Ways to Give to Disaster Relief
Global Hunger Crisis Response
The largest global hunger crisis in modern history has left 30 million children dangerously malnourished, threatening their health, hope, and futures. World Vision is responding in 28 of the hardest-hit countries, and our track record is one of success. By the grace of God, over the last 10 years, 89% of the severely malnourished children we treated made a full recovery.
Thanks to donor contributions, combined with public grants from partnerships like these, every $1 you donate to Global Hunger Response delivers $5 in impact.
Become a Disaster Relief Partner
With decades of experience and an established network of global staff and pre-positioned resources, we respond to major emergencies worldwide quickly and effectively — and we stay to help rebuild lives for children, families, and communities.
Your support can help ensure rapid delivery of life-saving help and supplies, as well as long-term support to help vulnerable families recover. Thanks to donor contributions, combined with public grants from partnerships, every $1 you donate to the Disaster Relief Fund delivers $4 in impact.
Monthly giving is the most effective way to help children and families who need it most. Plus, it lowers costs, which means more of your gift helps kids!
We work hand in hand with each community to address their unique needs — and achieve lasting change.
Choose one and see how our work gets done.
Health
Poverty in America
Economic empowerment
Clean water
Education
Christian faith
Gender equality
Disability inclusion
Refugees & fragile states
Child sponsorship