(BPT) - If you follow the news, you see heartbreaking stories: over 150 million people worldwide impacted by natural disasters and another 100 million forced from their communities by conflict, violence or persecution every year. In Haiti, Sudan, Syria and beyond, emergencies leave children especially vulnerable — losing their homes, access to food, clean water and safety.
To help families in the U.S. and around the world, Christian humanitarian aid organization World Vision responds to disasters quickly. Their presence in nearly 100 countries allows them to respond within 24-72 hours, providing emergency aid and ongoing support for families as they rebuild. In 2025, World Vision responded to 117 emergencies worldwide, providing aid to 38.1 million people across 72 countries.
Here are 10 examples of World Vision responding swiftly to disasters, delivering lifesaving aid, clean water — and hope.
1. Texas floods
Last July, Texas Hill Country experienced devastating flooding. Heavy rainfall turned the Guadalupe River into a torrent, destroying vehicles, homes and other structures, including Camp Mystic.
"Our hearts break for families who lost so much," said John Huddle, site manager, World Vision's Dallas Storehouse. "We're especially grateful for local church partners meeting people where they are, offering comfort and helping us deliver supplies as well as hope."
World Vision deployed truckloads of supplies to local partners, and a Pastor Ambassador to support other pastors helping congregations recover.
2. California wildfires
In January 2025, Los Angeles area wildfires ravaged homes, schools and critical infrastructure as 200,000 people raced to evacuate.
World Vision joined local churches and community partners to deliver emergency supplies. Within days, teams supported over 45,000 people and delivered 40 truckloads of aid including water, face masks, air beds, generators, clothing, hygiene kits and diapers.
3. War in Ukraine
Four years of conflict in Ukraine has displaced 3.7 million people, forcing over 5 million refugees to seek safety in Europe. Approximately 12.7 million people need aid and protection, with families facing financial struggles and limited access to education, health care and employment.
Since 2022, World Vision has reached more than 2.24 million people — including over one million children — with assistance including education, mental health services, winterization and protection initiatives.
4. Democratic Republic of Congo emergencies
Children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) face a dangerous combination of health and hunger emergencies. In 2025, cholera spread across six provinces, along with a severe variant of mpox that disproportionately affects young children, and a localized Ebola outbreak. The DRC faces severe food insecurity, conflict and widespread displacement.
World Vision teams are responding with lifesaving support for families, distributing clean water and sanitation supplies. The organization provides nutrition programs, partnering with local health workers to strengthen early detection and outbreak response.
"We know we're not alone in this fight. World Vision stands with us, and together, we're doing remarkable work for our community's health," said Mimi Gwana, head nurse at a DRC health clinic.
5. Humanitarian crisis in Haiti
Need is growing in Haiti as escalating gang violence and Hurricane Melissa have caused widespread displacement, hunger, essential service shutdowns and shortages of food, water, health care and education.
World Vision has been supporting Haiti for 45 years, offering vulnerable children and families vital aid including food, clean water and programs for survivors of violence. Following Hurricane Melissa's flooding in October, World Vision distributed shelter, kitchen, hygiene and bedding kits to over 10,000 survivors.
6. Myanmar earthquake
In March 2025, a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, causing widespread destruction, killing over 3,600 people and injuring 5,000 others.
With help from donors and partners, World Vision staff responded with food assistance and other emergency relief for 458,216 people, including 145,055 children.
7. Middle East crises
Conflict, large-scale displacement and economic collapse are creating dire humanitarian need across the Middle East. In Lebanon, severe food poverty is rising at an alarming rate, with over half of children under age two experiencing hunger in some areas. Disruptions to basic services in the West Bank have left many children without schooling or health care.
"The conflict is impacting children caught in this cycle of violence, hunger and displacement," said Margaret Schuler, senior vice president and chief impact officer, World Vision. "Behind each statistic is a story of children and the families who want to keep them safe."
World Vision delivered 10.2 million meals to families in Lebanon, supporting over 589,000 people, including over 217,000 children, through programs focused on education, child protection, water, sanitation and hygiene, and food security. In the West Bank, World Vision has reached over one million people, including 430,000 children.
8. Conflict in Sudan
The escalation of violence in Sudan has caused widespread famine and near-total infrastructure collapse, forcing an estimated 14.3 million people to flee — making Sudan the largest displacement crisis in the world. The country faces a deadly cholera outbreak, along with life-threatening food shortages.
World Vision operates a cholera treatment center and 24 oral rehydration points where sick people can access lifesaving rehydration and basic care before their condition becomes severe. The organization distributes emergency food and other support to affected communities.
9. Crisis in Syria
Syria remains one of the world's largest displacement crises, with over 14 million people displaced since 2011, while still facing long-term effects from 2023 earthquakes. After the government changed hands in 2024, hundreds of thousands of Syrians began returning, only to find damaged or destroyed homes, inadequate services and public health threats.
Through ongoing child protection, health, nutrition and education programs, World Vision assists hundreds of thousands of people, continuing to respond as families work toward restoring their lives.
10. Philippines typhoon
Typhoon Kalmaegi struck the Philippines in November 2025, killing over 200 people and displacing over half a million. It also caused widespread devastation in communities recovering from earlier earthquakes. Only days later, Super Typhoon Fung-wong made landfall in the Philippines, forcing over one million people to evacuate.
World Vision responds to the urgent needs of families affected by the widespread flooding, landslides and destruction from these storms with essentials and ongoing aid.
You can help
When disasters strike, World Vision is uniquely equipped to provide support, with highly trained rapid response teams, dedicated local staff and emergency supplies pre-positioned in the U.S. and around the globe.
You can make a difference, bringing aid and hope to people — especially children — when it's needed most. Your disaster relief donation saves lives of children and families facing emergencies caused by conflict and natural disasters.
Before the year ends, consider a tax deductible donation to help children and families lift themselves out of extreme poverty and experience lasting change. Give by December 31 and your tax deductible gift will be matched.
Visit Donate.worldvision.org/give/disaster-relief to donate today.
