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A humanitarian emergency can be a large-scale natural disaster, man-made crisis or combination of both that destroys people’s lives and overwhelms their abilities to cope.
Humanitarian emergencies can strike suddenly or unfold gradually. Some occur in predictable cycles, such as yearly droughts and floods. Often a natural disaster will have other effects such as famines. Lack of arable land, food and water can increase tensions between people groups and result in conflict.
Many of Africa’s emergencies are chronic, neglected by the international community, and characterized by political instability, active or simmering violent conflicts, and deep poverty.
World Vision is committed to reducing the impact of all types of humanitarian emergencies through our rapid and large-scale responses to them. We seek to increase the capacity of vulnerable communities to identify, prevent and reduce the threats they face, before emergencies happen or reoccur. We also aid the long-term recovery and reconciliation of communities affected by natural disasters and conflicts.
People’s lives are shattered when emergencies strike. They require immediate and hope-sustaining help. World Vision acts quickly to identify and assist those who are most vulnerable and in greatest need of critical relief items such as food, water, shelter, medicine and clothing.
Children are often the most affected victims of disasters and conflicts – highly prone to injury and disease, severe psychological trauma, halted emotional development and interrupted schooling. They may be orphaned, abandoned or separated from their families as the result of an emergency. In conflict-affected areas of Africa, they become more vulnerable to abduction and trafficking, and are frequently recruited into conflicts as child soldiers. For these reasons, World Vision maintains a strong focus on children in emergency situations, ensuring their survival, helping them to cope with tragedy, and aiding their longer-term recovery.
At all times, we are committed to following international codes of conduct and to protecting people’s dignity, while providing impartial aid to all in need -- regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity or gender.
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