Emergency Aid & Disaster Relief Charity

Emergency relief for children

Children’s lives can change in an instant in the wake of war, disasters and humanitarian emergencies. We see how vulnerable they are and how much they need our protection. And the need is only growing. Today, there are more than double the number of emergencies than there were ten years ago. Climate change is unleashing natural disasters faster, for longer and with longer-lasting consequences for children and their families. The needs are greater, and so the response must be too.

With 70 years of experience working in this area, we have the learning, infrastructure and global network to help millions of vulnerable children in the world’s most dangerous places - especially in times of unexpected crisis. Thanks to you, when disaster strikes, our response teams are on the ground, quickly supporting people – and we stay to help rebuild lives for children, families, and communities.

Within 72 hours of a disaster, we can deliver lifesaving supplies anywhere in the world - often even sooner.

Record numbers need help

168 million in 2020 - that's 1 person in 45 on the planet

More conflict than ever before

Driving hunger and displacement - 50% of displaced are children

Climate change wreaks havoc

Increasing people’s vulnerability to humanitarian crises

Children need your help

Around the world, children are suffering due to events they did not bring about. You can support them through some of the latest emergencies World Vision is responding to.

Indian girl with a mask covering her face, holding a school book, looks to the camera.

DEC Coronavirus Appeal

COVID-19 is devastating India. Vulnerable children in India and around the world need your help.

Five-year-old Catherine looks into the sky where she lives with other Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

Syria crisis - 10 years on

Millions of children are still suffering. Donate to help Syrian children today.

Eight month year old child in South Sudan hugs older child holding them, standing in front of a wall

South Sudan appeal

6 million facing hunger. But you can help. Find out how.

How we respond

We support communities to survive, recover, and rebuild for a better future.

A World Vision member in a refugee camp in Lebanon wearing a mask kneels down to talk to a boy wearing pajamas

Survival

Children are particularly vulnerable in emergencies, especially when they are separated from family members due to death, injury or moving to find safety. We respond rapidly to their immediate needs, providing water, food, shelter, hygiene and protection - like this team member in Lebanon who has made a friend while distributing hygiene kits.

A man in Mozambique heaves a sack of food aid distributed rice onto his back whilst a World Vision staff member helps

Recovery

We help families recover and rebuild their lives and livelihoods, and try to ensure that children caught up in emergencies don’t miss out on education. Unpredictable droughts attributed to climate change in Zambia left this family's harvest ruined, so World Vision provided maize and cowpea seeds and they have now enough food to eat, sell, and save for next harvest.

A group in Thailand hold up a poster of a disaster plan they have created

Resilience

We help families and communities to reduce the risks of future disasters by reducing their vulnerability to shocks, restoring damaged environments and preparing for and adapting to climate change. These students in Thailand have had disaster awareness training and made plans for potential emergencies.

The difference we make in emergencies

Help children and families survive and rebuild their lives after an emergency

This lifesaving work is made possible because generous individuals give to our emergency fund and crisis appeals, ensuring we can respond immediately to disasters and help save more children.

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Partnering in emergencies

We collaborate with the United Nations, other international and local aid agencies, as well as with national and local governments. This helps avoid duplication, maximises efficiencies, and ensures areas of need are properly met and there are no gaps in the overall humanitarian response. Learn more about our partners.

Disasters Emergency Committee

Start Network

More about our work

Learn about the difference our disaster relief work makes to the local community during an emergency, how we work with international, national and local partners, and how you can raise funds to support our work.

World Vision staff member waves with his back to camera in front of a crowd of people

The difference we make in emergencies

Some of our recent successes helping communities respond when disasters strike.

Two World Vision staff walk with a lady, backs to the camera, through streets in Columbia

Our partners

Who we partner with to ensure the greatest possible impact on the lives of children.

Staff member in a mask hands over a bag to support families and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Thailand. The woman receiving the bag smiles as her child clings onto the bag

How we work

Child-focused, community-led and faith-based. How we work and how to get involved.

UK family of four pose with bicycles in orange t-shirts to raise funds to protect children from coronavirus

Fundraise for children

Running, baking, partying. Every pound you raise will help protect children all over the world.

A Syrian refugee woman with a mask holds her toddler outside in Jordan

Latest emergencies

Children fleeing conflict or living in the aftermath of disaster urgently need your help.

Staff members in masks and gloves carry boxes to distribute mini food kits

Where we work

We go where others don’t, where the need is greatest. Learn about where we work and why.

Disaster and emergency response

Emergency relief for children

Children need your help

Thanks to supporters, in 2020, we delivered humanitarian assistance to over 27 million people in response to 66 natural and human-made disasters.