August 1st:
World Vision is planning a rapid response in Pakistan as unprecedented monsoon rains have triggered flash floods killing more than 1,300 people. With hundreds of people missing and more rain expected, World Vision fears the death toll could rise further. The relief group hopes to begin distributions of food and clean water as early as tomorrow, but can only use small trucks to transport aid because roads and bridges have been damaged and remain blocked by standing water. World Vision is also planning to provide medical assistance, shelter, hygiene kits and other basic relief items as soon as possible.

August 16th:
Vast floods are creating a critical situation in southern Pakistan, with local media reports suggesting that millions of people are fleeing areas under threat from the deluge.

Flood waters flowing down the five rivers of northern Pakistan have converged in the Indus River flowing through Upper and Lower Sindh. Swollen by the heavy rains which continued through the end of last week, the water has damaged more than 173,000 homes in Sindh, affecting more than one million people, according to the latest report from Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority.

The Government of Niger, the World Food Programme and aid agencies like World Vision are sounding the alarm that 60 per cent of the population are teetering on the brink of a food catastrophe. A government survey in December estimated that 7.8 million people would be reliant on food aid to survive - a number that dwarfs the 2005 famine figures. 

Without immediate action, there will be hundreds of thousands of severely malnourished children and a further 1.5 million moderately malnourished under fives. Aid agencies have a small window of opportunity to act right now. With food supplies rapidly dwindling, it’s urgent that there is a large-scale mobilization of funds as the crisis is expected to peak in June and July.

World Vision deployed a rapid response team following the powerful earthquake of 7.3 magnitude which struck southern Haiti, rocking the capital Port-au-Prince, on January 13th.

The quake was centered about 10 kilometers underground, and was followed by two severe aftershocks.

Frank Williams, National Director for World Vision Haiti, said the quake left people "pretty much screaming" all around Port-au-Prince. He said the office building shook for about 35 seconds, "and portions of things on the building fell off."

World Vision has been working in Haiti for 31 years and currently runs 20 long-term development programs across five regions, supporting more than 300,000 people.

Two massive quakes rocked Indonesian Sumatra on September 9th and 10th about 50 km from the coastal city, Padang with a population of 900,000. An earlier tsunami warning was quickly lifted. This was the third serious earthquake to hit Indonesia in less than a month.

The official death toll could well have exceeded one thousand. Hospitals crumbled along with at least 500 other buildings. There was chaos on the streets as rescue workers dug for survivors. Power was restored slowly which made communications and reporting on the situation very slow and difficult.

World Vision does not have projects in area but sent an assessment team to the area on the first flight available and within 12 hours of the quake. World Vision Indonesia allocated US$250,000 toward initial assistance and prepared 2000 family kits.   

Typhoon Ketsana swept across four Asian countries, sparking region-wide flooding and devastation in the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

In the Philippines, more than 2 million people were badly hit by the tropical storm where it first made landfall. Up to 400,000 people were affected in Vietnam, and hundreds others in northern Cambodia and southern Laos. Massive flooding followed in the wake of the typhoon. Children and their families were in urgent need of food, medicine and clean water as the slow process of cleaning up mud and debris began.

In the Philippines, World Vision has no area development programmes in Manila. One World Vision development programme outside Manila had minimal impact. In Cambodia World Vision has two United States-funded development programmes significantly affected.   

An earthquake-triggered tsunami consumed parts of Samoa, neighbouring American Samoa and Tonga on Tuesday September 8th, leaving 111 confirmed dead and scores more injured. Rescue workers waded their way through coastal village rubble, looking for survivors.

World Vision does not have programmes in the affected area, but sent a Technical Response Team and relief supplies to work with local agencies on the ground.   

An 8.0 magnitude earthquake rocked Sichuan province, leaving more than 88,000 people dead or missing, and millions more homeless.

After the devastating earthquake crumbled thousands of buildings, especially schools, World Vision opened Child-Friendly Spaces, giving children an opportunity to participate in games and education.

Zhang Limin, a third grade student, says, “When we play, we just forget about the earthquake.” © 2008 World Vision  

One of the worst natural disasters since the 2004 Tsunami, Cyclone Nargis left more than 130,000 people dead and affected 2.5 million others.

In the midst of the storm’s aftermath, children play at one of the Child-Friendly Spaces set up by World Vision in Myanmar. An estimated 1 million of those displaced by the cyclone were children.

World Vision provided 80 of these safe havens for affected children, many of whom were orphaned by the storm. © 2008 World Vision  

A massive storm leaves 2 million in need of assistance. World Vision opened this Child-Friendly Space for children devastated by Cyclone Sidr.

Badsha, 10, was outside in the storm when the iron roof of a nearby home fell in front of him. "I thought it fell on me," he exclaimed.

Since enrolling in this Child-Friendly Space, Badsha has been able to participate in sports and games, counseling, cultural events, education, and health care. © 2007 Amio Ascension/World Vision

Conflict drives millions from their homes. At this camp for internally displaced people, Child-Friendly Spaces are giving children like Bashira, 5, the chance to play, learn, and receive psychosocial support.

Her mother says, "My husband and I are doing our best to educate our children in spite of the difficulties that face us, but with the assistance of World Vision we can pass this obstacle." © 2007 Mohamad Almahady/World Vision

Worldwide, there are an estimated 218 million child laborers, ages 5 to 17.

Children smile and wave at the opening of the Dr. Bob Pierce Children's Park, a Child-Friendly Space in Vellore, India.

In a community where child labor and bonded labor are prevalent, children are learning that they have the right to education and a childhood. © 2007 Andrea Dearborn/World Vision 

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah displaces more than 1 million.

Children eagerly volunteer to participate in the next activity at a Child-Friendly Space established in Beirut for children who fled fighting in the south.

“I have never seen my children so happy since the war broke out. I can barely recognize them with their smiling faces,” said Fatima, a displaced mother. © 2006 Kevin Cook/World Vision 

A 6.3-magnitude quake in central Java renders 650,000 homeless.

Children in Kebom village dance and sing to celebrate the opening of the first World Vision Child-Friendly Space opened in response to the disaster.

“I like the singing best,” said Pungki Retno, 8, shouting above the joyful cacaphony. © 2006 Ruth Hudson/World Vision 

One of the deadliest natural disasters of modern history kills more than 200,000, chiefly in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. Idawati, 5, is comforted at the World Vision Child-Friendly Space in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.

When she first arrived at the Child-Friendly Space, Idawati, who was orphaned by the tsunami, was withdrawn, confused, and aggressive.

But over time, she began to participate. “We almost cannot see the tragedy they’ve lived through,” facilitator Safriati said of the children. © 2005 Jon Warren/World Vision