Emergency response
We’re seeing more emergencies around the world than ever before. While some make the headlines, others are forgotten, but in every crisis children suffer most of all.
Save the Children has emergency teams on the ground 365 days a year, responding to disasters in some of the toughest parts of the world. In the last five years, its emergency response across the world has significantly increased and represents around 50% of its work.
In 2013, Save the Children delivered lifesaving aid to more than 6 million people who were caught up in 119 emergencies. We saw communities in the Philippines dealing with the destruction of Typhoon Haiyan. We saw the continuation of the conflict in Syria, putting a generation of children at risk.
Currently we are witnessing the devastating effects of violence on the people of South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Away from media scrutiny, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, we are seeing children bearing the brunt of conflict or natural disaster.
Life saving aid
With over 90 years’ experience, Save the Children knows how to deliver lifesaving aid to those who need it the most – from frontline education, to emergency nutrition, to child protection, to shelter and relief items.
In July 2013, Save the Children joined forces with international health charity Merlin, creating a world-class, frontline health force that will enable the delivery of medical care to more people than ever before.
Save the Children’s emergency response work is not just about saving lives in the immediate aftermath of a catastrophe. It works tirelessly to support children and their families to become more resilient to crisis and restore communities and livelihoods following disasters.
Transforming disaster response
Save the Children have also made a commitment to transform the entire disaster response sector by investing in building the capacities of first responders and humanitarian response leaders in the countries facing an uncertain future blighted by disasters.
It couldn’t do any of this without its supporters and partners. Without their help it would not have been able to respond to the 40 emergencies that have already happened this year. There have never been more disasters in the world and developing partnerships to help reach children in the most challenging environments has never been more important.
The future is uncertain, but Save the Children is committed that, despite the dangers and difficulties involved, they are going to be there, saving children’s lives – whatever it takes.
The Unilever Foundation has committed to supporting Save the Children’s emergency work before, during and after emergencies strike. Specifically, we are supporting Save the Children in Myanmar, the Philippines, Somalia, South Sudan and Syria.
Unilever is also supporting Save the Children’s Humanitarian Health Workers programme to significantly increase the capacity of front line health workers to ensure children caught up in the most desperate situations get the care they need.
For more information, visit: Unilever Foundation - Save the Children