Children in Crisis

When a crisis strikes, children are the most at risk.

Children living in dangerous places and situations urgently need your support. You can provide life-saving emergency care for children; you'll be by their side, providing food, water and shelter when their lives are under threat. Your support will help refugees, children living in war zones and those in danger of exploitation like trafficking, child labour and child marriage.

Giving to Children in Crisis will have FIVE times the impact thanks to our partnerships across the United Nations, making every dollar go further. You will support children in Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan and children affected by the Syrian Crisis. Children who have fled their homes escaping the terrors of war, girls at risk of early marriage, and families desperately trying to survive devastating droughts and flooding.

Hani (8), Syrian refugee in Lebanon

No child should have witnessed the horrors Hani has seen.

"We were in the house sleeping, we woke up and suddenly we heard something go 'bomph'...
We fled our house and the rockets were still coming."

At just 8 years old, Hani was forced to leave his childhood behind; fleeing his home, afraid for his life, to escape the terror of war.

1 in 6 children live in a war zone

Conflict is a daily reality. There are more refugees in the world today than after World War II, and more than half of them are children.

23 girls are forced to marry every minute

Early marriage violates girls’ rights. It exposes girls to violence throughout their lives and traps them in a cycle of poverty.

50% of children in Syria are out of school

Schools have been destroyed. Ten gruelling years of war in Syria has robbed the next generation of their right to an education.

Life-Saving Essentials

The most basic items provide the most significant life-saving potential. Your support will deliver nutrition, healthcare and household supplies to the people that need it most.

Creating Safe Spaces

Children should feel safe and empowered so their world can be a little less interrupted. You help create a place where girls and boys on the run can pause to find respite.

Preventing Exploitation

With women and girls being especially vulnerable to violence and sexual abuse, your support offers protection programs and survivor counselling to ensure people are justly protected.

Long-Term Solutions

Many dangerous places are experiencing ongoing trauma. Together, we are helping to bring lasting transformational change to communities who need it most.

Helen Clark, Afghanistan

You can help protect vulnerable girls at risk of early marriage.

With your support, we're tackling poverty's root causes and breaking down ingrained beliefs and unequal systems that force girls into early marriage.

Former Prime Minister, Helen Clark met with desperate families in Afghanistan. "I've seen that there are women who care deeply about their daughters and are under great pressure to allow them to be, in effect, sold into early marriage because that would relieve some financial difficulties" shared Helen.

Syria

10 years of a violent and deadly war. Syria's children are growing up in the midst of the most significant humanitarian crisis in living memory, as the war rages on in its tenth year.

Learn more about the Syrian Crisis.

Sudan

34% of girls in Sudan are married before the age of 18 and 12% are married before their 15th birthday. Early marriage violates girls’ rights to health, education and opportunities.

Learn more about Sudan.

South Sudan

7 years of conflict for the world's youngest nation. The conflict has resulted in an estimated 380,000 deaths, and more than 3.8 million people are displaced.

Learn more about South Sudan.

Afghanistan

12.5 million Afghans face crisis-levels of food insecurity. Ongoing conflict overlaid with drought and flooding has made an impossible situation so much worse.

Learn more about Afghanistan.

What is 'Children in Crisis'?
Children in Crisis is a way to protect children that live in dangerous places. Through our partnerships, every $1 donated to Children in Crisis will provide $5 worth of life-saving aid. Currently, Children in Crisis funds are supporting vulnerable children affected by the Syrian Crisis. Children in Sudan, South Sudan and Afghanistan.

How does my donation help?
Your donation can help us provide nutritious food, clean water, sanitation, healthcare, education, shelter and basic household items. With your support, we can establish Child-Friendly Spaces that give a sense of safety and stability to vulnerable children in some of the world’s most dangerous places. Through our partnerships, every $1 donated will provide $5 worth of life-saving aid.

What is the difference between 'Children in Crisis' and 'Child Sponsorship'?
Child Sponsorship supports children living in extreme poverty. We partner with communities and work together to develop sustainable solutions to tackle the root causes of poverty. Children in Crisis supports children living in dangerous places, where political instability, natural disasters and/or conflict threaten their safety. We work to protect and nurture these children and are ready to respond immediately to a crisis.

How do I know if I'm making an impact?
At World Vision, we are dedicated to keeping our generous supporters informed on the difference they are making to the world's most vulnerable children. As a supporter, we will send you regular personal stories and updates on how your support is changing lives.

As part of an international partnership working in nearly 100 countries, World Vision New Zealand pursues the highest standards of stewardship and accountability.

In 2019, 83.3% of World Vision New Zealand's total operating expenses were used for international program support that benefited children, families and communities in need. Learn more about our impact.