The impact of major disasters has increased thirteen-fold in the last 50 years. Global weather trends and increasing political upheavals indicate that the needs will continue to grow.

Immediate emergency response, disaster mitigation and a commitment to long-term rebuilding are critical. World Vision is on the ground in some 100 countries—and responded to some 75 emergencies last year.

Supplies—World Vision’s strategically located disaster response warehouses are pre-stocked with relief supplies for rapid shipment in response to a crisis anywhere in the world.

Awareness—We monitor nature’s early warning signals—threats of typhoons, hurricanes or famine—to anticipate needs and reduce the impact of a catastrophe.

Training—Our staff in all regions of the world is trained in emergency preparedness and train community leaders how to prepare for and mitigate the impact of disasters they are likely to face in their area.
 
When disaster strikes, World Vision is prepared. Our supplies are ready, our staff poised, and our decades of experience help us make critical decisions quickly. 

• 90 percent of all disaster victims live in developing countries, where poverty and lack of resources exacerbate the suffering.
• Every 21 seconds, someone in the world becomes a refugee.
• Disaster mitigation can help protect the 10 million people who live in areas prone to devastating floods.

In 2008, World Vision International responded to some 75 disasters, assisting an estimated 11 million survivors, refugees and internally displaced people.

With a thirteen-fold increase in the number of major disasters over the last 50 years, World Vision continues to provide immediate emergency response and disaster mitigation, and is committed to long-term rebuilding.

A significant element in World Vision’s disaster response is emergency preparedness, which includes community training as well as pre-positioned staff, goods and funds.

World Vision’s Global Rapid Response Team (GRRT) is a group of highly skilled professional relief workers who can be mobilized on short notice to respond to disasters anywhere in the world. The team’s members are based in numerous strategic locations around the globe, representing diverse nationalities and a broad range of skills.

The GRRT sets up World Vision’s response programs in rapid-onset emergencies as well as slow-onset or chronic emergencies. The team also provides training to staff and communities in emergency response, disaster preparedness and mitigation.

In 2008, the GRRT provided relief responses in countries such as Myanmar, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia, Chad, Sri Lanka and Haiti.

In order to provide relief within 72 hours of a disaster, World Vision’s Global Pre-positioning and Resource Network (GPRN) rapidly directs critical supplies and equipment from warehouses on three continents to disaster sites around the world.

Supplies include medical kits, blankets, tents, water filters and communication equipment, all of which are packed, labelled and ready for deployment. The GPRN anticipates issues, addresses challenges of delivering supplies to dangerous areas and sets up initial on-site management.

World Vision’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund (EPRF) provides access to funds almost immediately following the onset of an emergency, enabling field relief managers to provide assistance quickly, without having to wait for funds to be raised.

The $6 million annual revolving fund is a global mechanism that enables immediate, rapid response to emergencies and pre-positioning of staff and supplies.

Research demonstrates that every dollar spent in disaster mitigation will save society between $4 and $7 when an emergency strikes. Recognizing that more than 50 percent of World Vision’s program areas are affected by recurring disasters, World Vision is committed to building community resilience and reducing the risks of disaster.

Without such capacity, communities can easily lose years of development gains when disasters strike. World Vision monitors existing and likely disasters, builds local capacity in disaster mitigation by teaching preparedness and response, and forms community rapid response teams to help implement emergency response in their communities.