INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSe
Help prevent and heal the traumatic wounds that disasters have inflicted on communities.
Every year, natural disasters have created displacement, loss, and suffering for millions around the world.
Communities around the world are impacted by natural disasters like floods, hurricanes and fires, as well as conflict, war and violence
These disasters not only have a tremendous impact on communities physically, but they are likely to have drastic and long-lasting effects on the emotional and mental health of its members.
Times of disaster bring uncertainty and fear. They can test us and stretch us beyond our own limits of possibility. And yet, these times—personal or collective—can also reveal a resiliency and strength unknown. When you are facing a new kind of trying time, keep these promises from Scripture close by for encouragement, reassurance and hope for the days ahead.
– Psalm 46:1-2
The Damage of Disasters
Disasters frequently affect people who are already vulnerable and living in poverty
When responding to a disaster, our goal at World Renew is not only to meet immediate needs, but also to implement a long-term approach that helps prepare communities for future disasters.
We help communities rebuild from disasters by addressing the following issues:
- Physical impacts: loss of life, injuries, illnesses, miscarriages and fatigue.
- Economic impacts: unemployment, loss of property, damaged infrastructure.
- Social impacts: helping refugees and orphans.
- Psychological impacts: PTSD, grief, hopelessness, and more.
Impact on families
Children exposed to trauma often experience chronic mental health symptoms, illness and disease, and more. A traumatic event can alter a child’s brain anatomy and functioning, inhibiting their learning process and memory which could have long-lasting effects on their future.
Impact on communities
Disasters are one of the most stressful events and their effects are multifaceted. After any traumatic event, getting back to a sense of normalcy can be a key step toward reducing the psychological toll.
Impact on those with critical needs
Often for people with special needs, like the infirm, disabled, and senior citizens, receiving support can be difficult, and in times of disaster, this becomes even harder. World Renew helps to provide access to the resources they need to survive.
Our Disaster Response
How we provide assistance in response to disasters, conflicts and other emergencies to communities around the world.
Every disaster impacts communities in different ways, which is why we offer different types of support to meet each community’s individual needs.
In the aftermath of destruction, food and shelter are essential. We connect participants with necessities and voucher programs to boost local economic activity and provide a sense of normalcy.
We offer support to communities by helping them identify their most pressing needs and the most efficient ways to address those needs.
Our ultimate goal is to help rebuild communities impacted by disasters to be stronger and healthier, in order to better withstand future disasters.
Our Partnerships
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” – Hebrews 10:24
When we work in partnerships, we come alongside to strengthen local capacity.
This is why, last year, World Renew partnered with 39 different churches and local non-profit organizations around the world to ensure we are providing the best humanitarian assistance to foster long-term impacts.
Working with local partners in Honduras
Our efforts in Honduras after back-to-back hurricanes, Eta and Iota pummelled Latin America in late 2020, is one example of how World Renew worked with our local partners to support families after a natural disaster. Through its network of churches and partners in Honduras, World Renew was able to provide food packages and hygiene kits to 816 households to address the urgent needs of families.
“I don’t know how to describe what happened to me other than to say that because of the church I was something and now I’m something else. The incident that happened with my only son was very hard. But having a new purpose and work and a chance to help other children has helped me. I want to thank God and this project and thank anyone who has contributed to the project.”
– Roula, Syrian Refugee and World Renew International Disaster Response Recipient who lost her son while fleeing conflict.
How You Can Help
Deliver hope and provide help when disasters strike
When disasters strike, it is natural that you would want to help and to make sure your donation is being used well.
Last year, your donations helped us make an impact through 59 responses.
We respond to various types of disasters that result from conflict, climate change, and severe weather.
The majority of our projects, 44%, aim to respond to conflict, 26% chronic disasters, 8% droughts, 5% storms, 5% earthquakes, and 12% other.
With the support of our generous donors, government support, and network partner contributions, we used $20.99 million of funding to mobilize toward disaster response over our 2022-23 fiscal year.
By providing disaster response services, World Renew was able to positively impact more than 255,000 lives in the last year (2023).
How? By offering shelter, emergency food, community health, agricultural techniques, and more.
