Top stories of 2015

This past year was a challenging one for our World Vision staff in every part of the world. Natural disasters, disease, conflict and, sadly, a long list of critical needs in health, educaton, clean water and other important development programmes.

 

It's impossible to rank these challenges in a "Top 10" list when each impacts vulnerable children and families with equally tragic results. Here's a look at stories and blogs posted on wvi.org covering some of the global crises and issues of 2015 to which World Vision responded.

 

Millions of Syrians have fled their homes. Hundreds of thousands are struggling to survive in neighbouring countries and Europe. World Vision has expanded its humanitarian response to address emerging challenges.

 

 

In September 2015, 3.9 million people in South Sudan did not have enough to eat. Low and late rains have produced a lower than normal harvest across almost half the country. Unless urgent action is taken, the country may face a catastrophe at the beginning of 2016.

 

Although the outbreak began in 2014, the crisis response carried over well into 2015. Recently, Sierra Leone, where World Vision works, was declared Ebola-free. And World Vision is now focusing on long-term recovery programs to support children’s well-being.

 

In Africa, more than 11 million children are at risk from the climate changing effects of the El Nino weather event. World Vision is responding globally to a worsening El Nino that is going to impact millions of children globally with drought, erratic weather conditions and a predicted increase in storms in some regions.

 

In 2015, World Vision made maternal and child health a top priority with the announcement of an unprecedented $3 billion investment to improve the health of women, children, and adolescents globally.