Making a difference after disasters
World Vision has the size, experience and expertise to respond
immediately when disasters happen. Our goals are to save lives,
reduce suffering, protect livelihoods, strengthen community
resilience and promote peace. We are always ready to provide
on-the-ground assistance to those affected and our involvement
lasts longer than the headlines as we help give lasting solutions
to communities in need.
Over World Vision's 40-plus years in New Zealand, it's been the
generosity of ordinary Kiwis that's allowed us to play a major role
in relief efforts throughout the world. Just in the past year,
World Vision New Zealand provided funding for new and ongoing
disasters in 17 countries, including the flooding response in
Pakistan and the earthquake in Haiti.
Responding to disasters
World Vision takes great care to ensure its disaster response is
appropriate to the local situation and needs. A disaster doesn't
affect all parts of the community equally. So, it is important that
help immediately reaches those who need it most - often the poorest
people in the community who are already struggling to survive, and
can't cope with further difficulties.
Who co-ordinates World Vision's disaster response?
World Vision has a global network of disaster response experts
who assess the impact of each disaster, plan the response, request
funding from offices, like World Vision New Zealand, and get to
work immediately. The Global Rapid Response Team responds within 24
to 72 of hours of a major disaster. The team includes logistics
staff, child protection experts, water, health and sanitation
experts, and communications staff.
World Vision International have disaster supplies on standby,
located in Germany, Italy and the USA, so they can be transported
quickly to a disaster anywhere in the world. Supplies include
medical kits, blankets, tents, water filters and communications
equipment.
We have offices in 100 countries, so are often already based in
disaster regions with local staff being able to start work as soon
as possible. The Global Rapid Response Team works alongside local
staff for the first 90 days of a disaster. They then set up a
long-term team of regional staff to continue the work. There is
never a quick fix for a high-level disaster; long-term recovery
plans are essential to get communities back on their feet.
How does World Vision pay for its disaster response?
About 80 per cent of World Vision's funding worldwide comes from
private donations. For large-scale disasters, offices like World
Vision New Zealand will appeal to its supporters and the public for
donations. While this money is being raised, World Vision
International will make use of emergency reserve funds. World
Vision budgets carefully for the disaster response, using the money
effectively over several years. Planning for the longer term is
crucial, so that once supporters and the public stop sending
donations, our recovery and rebuilding work can still continue.
Reducing the impact of disasters
A vital element of World Vision's work, to partner with
vulnerable communities to make sure they have programmes to help
reduce the impact of future disasters. World Vision trains and
prepares communities to avoid (prevent) or limit (prepare for) the
adverse impact of disasters, and to become more resilient. For
example, community members (both adults and children) receive
life-saving training that will help them survive in the case of
floods or an earthquake. Early-warning systems are installed, and
specially strengthened houses and buildings are constructed to
withstand disasters such as floods or an earthquake.
Disaster management always includes the following goals:
- To reduce or avoid losses of lives and property (early warning,
preparedness, mitigation)
- To ensure prompt assistance to survivors
- To achieve rapid and effective recovery
- To manage long-term programmes to help communities fully
recover
How can you get involved?
You can help save lives today by donating to the current hunger
crisis in West
Africa. Or if you would like to help us prepare for future
disasters you can donate to the Children in
Crisis Emergency Fund.