Natural disasters like earthquakes, storms and floods strike suddenly, catching people off guard and threatening lives. Climate change is bringing extreme weather to the whole world and causes more frequent and severe droughts and other natural disasters.
For children and families living in fragile contexts, due to resource scarcity, social instability and low resilience, natural disasters are even more damaging and difficult to cope with. Therefore, disaster preparedness before emergencies, rapid emergency response when a crisis hits, and assistance in long-term recovery are all crucially important.
Natural disasters intensify food crisis, humanitarian aid helps relieve hardship
Climate change and natural disasters have severely reduced agricultural yields, causing immediate food shortages, long-term food security crises and global hunger. With decades of humanitarian experience and partnerships with the World Food Programme and regional organisations, World Vision can effectively deliver emergency food supplies to affected families. Moreover, our nutrition programs to combat child malnutrition, improved agricultural trainings providing to families, sustainable environmental management and other measures help mitigate the impacts of climate change and enhance community resilience. (Click here to view: World Vision East Africa Humanitarian Emergency Report 2025)
Joining Childhood Rescue with a monthly donation, you can support those in need in various ways to better cope with natural disasters:
1. BEFORE: Before emergencies happen, we work with communities to develop disaster preparedness plans that map out local threats and identify how to save lives and protect property, thereby increasing families’ readiness and resilience.
2. DURING: When a crisis hits, our global staff swiftly activate local disaster assessments and pre-established worldwide logistics systems to provide urgent support to affected children and families.
3. AFTER: After the initial response, we work with communities over the long term to establish permanent housing, sustainable clean water, food security, access to quality education and healthcare, and recovery loans to rebuild livelihoods, helping children and families get their lives back on track.
Following the earthquake in the Philippines, World Vision arrived in the affected area immediately to assess the damage and swiftly provided affected children and families with emergency relief supplies, such as food and clean drinking water. Our ability to respond so rapidly to the needs of those affected relies on regular donations from our donors.
World Vision has established child-friendly spaces in zones affected by the earthquake in Venezuela to provide psychosocial support to affected children. In this safe and caring environment, they can temporarily set aside their fears and anxieties, returning to being children through games, learning, and interaction.
Following the earthquake in Colombia, World Vision swiftly assessed the damage on the ground. This assessment helped us to understand the situation such as the extent of damage to homes and housing needs, enabling us to respond to the most urgent needs of those affected and to strengthen coordination and cooperation with community leaders and partners. The care and sympathy shown to those affected during the assessment process reassured them that they were not alone.
World Vision responded swiftly to the needs of those affected following the earthquake in Indonesia, distributing daily essentials and other emergency aid to affected families. This capacity for rapid response stems from World Vision’s many years of deep engagement with local communities, during which it has built a solid network of trust and support with residents, the government and partners, ensuring that aid reaches those most in need in a timely manner.