Helping Children Survive Crises
When disaster strikes, a fast and effective response can save lives, and in an emergency, it’s not just every day that counts – it’s every hour. More than 30,000 World Vision staff serve in nearly 100 countries, and with decades of experience delivering effective emergency aid with immediate needs like food, water and shelter, World Vision can respond to virtually any disaster within 24 to 72 hours. Due to the generosity of its donors, World Vision was able to devote US$549.5 million to nearly 80 disaster mitigation, preparedness and response efforts in fiscal year* 2010. This work helped approximately 15 million people. World Vision identifies places at risk of disaster, prepares resources and staff in high-risk zones, and builds capacity and resilience among communities to help them protect themselves before an emergency and rebuild afterwards. Each year, World Vision sets aside a certain amount of money that can be made available very quickly to launch urgent disaster responses. During fiscal year 2010, World Vision budgeted $6 million for this purpose. World Vision raised the budgeted amount to $7.6 million in fiscal year 2011 and will gradually increase it to $10 million in coming years. For large-scale emergencies, $100,000 can be allocated immediately to save lives. Much larger funding can be mobilised within hours.