Last fall, severe hurricanes devastated the Southeastern United States, resulting in over $200 billion in damage. Together, the storms killed more than 460 people, displaced thousands, and left large swathes of the population without power, clean drinking water, and access to basic supplies.

Hurricane Helene struck in late September of 2024, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that Hurricane Helene was among the costliest climate disasters of 2024, with damages estimated at $79.6 billion.

Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Milton struck the same area. The storm made landfall in Florida, bringing catastrophic flooding and severe wind damage. Approximately 125 homes were destroyed, and over 3 million buildings lost power.

Within 24 hours, World Vision was on the scene providing food, emergency water, and medical supplies. The impact of these storms continued to unfold as the weeks passed, but we remained committed to ensuring that communities had the support needed to rebuild their lives.

Through local partnerships with churches and other organizations, World Vision was able to reach thousands in the hardest-hit areas.

The response focused heavily on North Carolina for Helene, where critical infrastructure had been destroyed, including water systems, homes, and schools. In Florida, for Milton, teams coordinated disaster relief efforts, including the distribution of Crisis Relief Boxes (fresh food boxes).

The rebuilding phase began soon after the immediate cleanup, focusing on restoring homes and essential infrastructure. World Vision’s partnerships with organizations like Swannanoa Church, Asheville Dream Center, Conduit, and Operation Blessing have enabled the efficient distribution of building materials, tools, and other supplies to begin rebuilding efforts.

World Vision has also offered educational support, supplying over 7,000 books, Classroom Well-Being Kits, and school supplies to children impacted by the disasters.

While the work is ongoing, these collaborations laid the foundation for the long-term recovery needed to restore normalcy to affected communities.

We thank you for your generous support on behalf of those still recovering.

SIX-MONTH ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Thanks to our generous corporate partners and financial supporters, World Vision has partnered with local churches and community organizations to provide relief to displaced families and transition to helping rebuild communities. Highlights include:

• Supported more than 70,000 survivors across four states, assisting communities in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina with relief distributions.
• Began restoring over 150 homes, partnering with local organizations to support reconstruction, with 50 homes completed to date.
• Distributed 57 truckloads of relief supplies, including food, water, clothing, hygiene kits, and tools.
• Provided more than 73,000 pounds of food and 18,000 gallons of water to communities in need, helping thousands of survivors.
• Partnered with five key organizations to promote long-term recovery, collaborating with local churches and community groups to place resources for rebuilding efforts.
• Awarded $362,000 in grant funding to partner organizations for cleanup and rebuilding projects.
• Distributed more than 20,000 toys and 7,000 books through eight family events during the holidays.

REBUILDING COMMUNITY

Jim and Allie Bourdy woke up at 5 a.m. September 27, 2024 when their white noise machine stopped humming. “We were expecting to lose power . . . but not ready [to fight for our] lives,” says Allie.

The couple decided to monitor the situation from inside of their home, but by 9 a.m., the water had risen so high that a truck stalled out at the end of their driveway. The window for escaping in their car had passed, and they began discussing whether it was safe to remain at home. As they were speaking, the refrigerator began to float, then slammed to the ground. It was time to go.

Jim grabbed some foam exercise blocks to use as flotation devices and they made it to the roof of a neighbor’s house, where they were rescued by two Good Samaritans in a kayak. When they later returned to the home, they were shocked to find a chair hanging from a chandelier among overturned furniture and mud covered walls. The couple’s dismay multiplied when they were informed that their homeowner’s insurance wouldn’t cover the damage.

But all was not lost. One night as Jim and Allie were getting a hot meal at a local church, contractor Chris Cronin offered to help them rebuild their house as part of a project coordinated by partner Swannanoa Church using building materials procured by World Vision from corporate partners.

Chris hopes that with the gift of these items, they’ll be able to stretch their FEMA award to cover more than construction. “If . . . they’re able to hold on to more of their FEMA money, [they will be able] to buy . . . furniture and dishes and . . . laundry units,” he says. “Because, I mean, they lost everything.”

LOOKING AHEAD

We’re proud of the progress made alongside our partners in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, but there is still much work to be done.

As we move into the next phase of rebuilding, our immediate goals include:

• Partnering with non-profits, corporations, and other organizations to get families back in their homes by restoring 150 residences by the end of the year.
• Assessing and addressing ongoing needs while strengthening our partnerships with Swannanoa Church, Operation Blessing, Asheville Dream Center, and Conduit to ensure effective, long-term recovery.
• Supporting communities as they rebuild and recover, helping them emerge stronger and more resilient.

THANK YOU

The communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton have faced incredible hardship, but with the help of our dedicated partners, we’ve made significant strides in the recovery process. Your support has been crucial in bringing relief and hope to those who need it most. Thank you for standing with us as we continue to rebuild lives and restore communities.

Find out how your company can play a part in rebuilding lives and restoring hope after disasters. Click here.

The post Six Months Later: Hurricanes Helene and Milton Response Update appeared first on B2B.

Extreme weather events can cause widespread destruction, putting vulnerable communities at greater risk of falling deeper into poverty. When heatwaves, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires strike, they expose children and families to increased risks of harm and danger.

The severe storm system that began on March 14 swept through the central and eastern U.S., unleashing 87 tornadoes, dust storms, and high winds. At least 39 people lost their lives, with Mississippi and Missouri experiencing the most severe impacts from the tornadoes. Wildfires in Oklahoma and Texas, along with dust storms in Kansas and Texas, compounded the devastation.

In response to these devastating events, World Vision takes swift action — around the world and in the U.S — to deliver lifesaving aid, including providing essentials like food, clean water, and hygiene kits. But our efforts don’t stop there. We keep working alongside communities to help them build resilience and prepare for future disasters. This includes investing in early warning systems and equipping communities with the tools they need to respond effectively to weather hazards.

“Children are one of the most vulnerable groups in the midst of crises and often have no idea of the magnitude of the events they are experiencing. They find themselves away from home, family, and friends,” said Thiago Crucciti, World Vision’s national director in Brazil, reflecting on the devastating 2024 floods in Brazil. To address this need, World Vision helps families access psychosocial support and Child-Friendly Spaces so they can start to regain a sense of normalcy. “Without an appropriate intervention, these events could leave lasting scars. We must respond now to ensure that they get the support they desperately need,” Crucciti said.

Beyond our immediate emergency response, we also collaborate with communities on long-term projects like land restoration, infrastructure improvements, and community development. These efforts improve food security, restore ecosystems, and open economic opportunities — critical steps toward long-term resilience.

You can help deliver hope and meet practical needs when emergencies strike.

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The post Extreme weather: Helping communities recover and rebuild appeared first on B2B.

Just weeks apart, two powerful hurricanes battered the Southeastern U.S., causing widespread devastation. Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, made landfall on September 26, 2024, in Florida’s Big Bend region. On October 9, Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, struck Florida’s west coast near Siesta Key. 

Communities in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and beyond have faced severe impacts with lives disrupted, homes destroyed, and critical infrastructure damaged, some of it completely ruined. The scale of the destruction has triggered urgent relief and recovery efforts that are now underway. 

World Vision has been on the ground from start, responding to the urgent needs created by these catastrophic storms. With our local partners in the area, we’ve delivered vital supplies donated by corporate partners such as clean water, generators, diapers, personal care items, and more, to ensure that people in hard-hit areas can access essentials they need. Our commitment to supporting these communities in both immediate recovery and long-term rebuilding is unwavering. 

World Vision responded immediately to the hurricanes. Following Helene’s landfall, four 53-foot tractor-trailers loaded with relief supplies were dispatched to partner churches in Florida and North Carolina. In the following weeks, nine more tractor-trailers departed for storm-affected regions in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, including hard-hit Asheville, North Carolina. As of Thursday, October 17, 2024, these 13 shipments have served over 16,000 people. 

In response to Hurricane Milton, World Vision has delivered 12 truckloads of supplies to people in impacted areas, reaching nearly 23,000 people. 

Thanks to generous donors and through the help of more than 20 local partners, World Vision has distributed a total of 25 truckloads of aid to support families in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas as of October 17. 

“This is one of the most devastating disasters that has hit the United States in our time,” said Reed Slattery, World Vision’s National Director of U.S. Programs. 

Our relief efforts have been bolstered by partnerships with churches like St. John Baptist Church in Arden, North Carolina that, through their long-term, local presence and deep roots in the community, become effective distribution hubs for relief supplies. 

While immediate relief is the priority, World Vision has also committed to working alongside families and communities as they rebuild their lives over the coming months and years. 

“The devastation is overwhelming, but we’re here, working hand in hand with local pastors and affected communities. Our priority is to meet the urgent needs of children and families while also planning for recovery,” Slattery said. “The healing process is not just about rebuilding homes. It’s about restoring dignity and supporting people as they reclaim their futures. 

“We know the road to recovery is long, and World Vision will continue to stand with the communities affected by Hurricane Helene. We are committed to offering support, compassion, and resources to help impacted families recover.” 

Currently, our efforts are focused on post-storm clean-up. But building supplies will be critically needed as we move into the next phase of our efforts. With cooler temperatures setting in, there is also increasing concern for communities still lacking electricity and running water. 

We also aim to support educational needs. We’re ready to supply impacted communities with resources like books, backpacks, and Classroom Well-being Kits to help schools and students affected by the hurricane.

Critical products needed 

• Cold weather apparel 

• Cold weather footwear 

• Building materials 

• Building, renovation tools (hand and power) 

• Power generation (generators, solar…) 

• Personal care 

• School supplies 

• Toys 

If your company would like to assist in relief efforts, please fill out the form here and a corporate engagement representative will be in touch.   

The post Delivering hope: Hurricanes Helene and Milton disaster relief  appeared first on B2B.

More than eight weeks into the conflict in Ukraine, over 5 million children and adults have fled to neighboring countries in a crisis that continues to intensify, with casualties and displacement growing. In addition to millions of refugees, 7.1 million people are believed to have been displaced within the besieged country, meaning that nearly one of every four Ukrainians have been forced from their homes.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported 4,966 civilian casualties between February 24 and April 18, 2022 — with 2,104 people killed, including 205 children — mostly resulting from explosive weapons in populated areas.

The overwhelming majority of refugees and displaced individuals are children and women. The U.N. has said that another Ukrainian child is becoming a refugee nearly every second, and that more than one of every two Ukrainian children are now displaced.

Most refugees have fled to Poland, Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, where they have been widely welcomed by governments and local communities.

As war continues, humanitarian needs are multiplying. World Vision staff are supporting refugees in Romania, where we aim to provide hundreds of thousands of people with essential aid, including emergency food assistance packages and educational and psychological support. We’re also working with partners to support refugees in Moldova and displaced families in Ukraine, and through our staff in Georgia, where thousands of visiting Ukrainians were stranded when the conflict began.

FAQs: What you need to know about Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis

Explore facts and frequently asked questions about the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and learn how to  help children and their families.

• Fast facts: Where is Ukraine and what’s the history of this conflict?
• What’s the potential impact of the current crisis in Ukraine?
• What food supplies will be affected by the Ukraine crisis?
• What’s World Vision doing to help families impacted by the Ukraine crisis?
• How many children are affected by the conflict in Ukraine?
• How are children being impacted by the crisis in Ukraine?
• Is World Vision supporting the emotional needs of children?
• What are other concerns for children in the Ukraine crisis?
• How are children’s educational needs affected by the Ukraine conflict?
• What else can I do to help children and families impacted by the conflict?

Fast facts: Where is Ukraine and what’s the history of this conflict?

• Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe (just after Russia) with a landmass slightly smaller than the state of Texas and a population of about 43 million.
• Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine declared independence on August 24, 1991.
• The country has experienced years of political and economic instability and remains among the countries of Europe suffering the most severe health impacts from the coronavirus pandemic.
• Due to conflict that began in eastern Ukraine in 2014, nearly 3 million people already needed humanitarian aid before the February 2022 escalation.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

What’s the potential impact of the current crisis in Ukraine?

With over 5 million fleeing Ukraine in the space of eight weeks, this is the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

The sudden escalation of conflict is not only devastating the lives of Ukrainian children and families but is expected to create economic disruptions that impact child poverty far beyond Eastern Europe. This conflict not only threatens regional stability but is also expected to raise humanitarian needs sharply.

U.N. agencies anticipate a dramatic increase in global hunger, which was already on the rise, as conflict has shut off critical food exports from Ukraine.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

What food supplies will be affected by the Ukraine crisis?

In 2021, Ukraine ranked among the top three global exporters of wheat, corn, rapeseed (used to make canola oil), sunflower seeds, and sunflower oil. With Russia being the world’s largest exporter of wheat, the two countries together provide about one-third of the global supply of cereal grains.

“The conflict in Ukraine has resulted in a spike in the global price of wheat, up to its highest level since 2008, when the world had its last severe global food price crisis. This is due to the fact that Russia and Ukraine export 29% – almost one third – of the world’s wheat,” said Amanda Rives, World Vision’s global senior director for disaster management resource development. “Wheat is an essential product, provided to those experiencing, or at risk of, starvation.”

The Ukraine–Russia area alone provides more than half of the wheat supply distributed by the World Food Programme (WFP), according to the U.N. World Vision is WFP’s largest implementing partner worldwide.

“Food, fuel, and fertilizer prices are skyrocketing. Supply chains are being disrupted. And the costs and delays of transportation of imported goods — when available — are at record levels,” Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres said. About 45 less developed nations import a large percentage of their wheat from the Ukraine–Russia region. “All of this is hitting the poorest the hardest and planting the seeds for political instability and unrest around the globe,” he added.

International food prices also may rise by up to 22% above their already elevated levels because of the crisis, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Between 20% and 30% of winter cereals, corn, and sunflower seeds in Ukraine will either not be planted or not be harvested during the 2022-2023 season, the FAO anticipates. This is expected to contribute to global supply gaps and heighten economic hardships and needs for vulnerable nations globally.

Simulations from the FAO suggest that should the reduction of food exports from Ukraine be prolonged, the global number of undernourished people could increase by 8 to 13 million people in 2022 and 2023, with the greatest impact being in the Asia-Pacific region and sub-Saharan Africa, followed by the Near East and North Africa.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

What’s World Vision doing to help families impacted by the Ukraine crisis?

We’ve been responding since the first week of the crisis and are continuing to scale our response across the region, with the goal of reaching nearly 300,000 people in Romania, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia over the next few months.

As of April 14, 2022, our staff have supported 57,954 people, including 27,493 women and 24,105 children, with essentials.

• 32,705 people have received emergency food assistance
• 11,266 people have received temporary shelter assistance
• 13,313 people have been reached through hygiene kits

• In Romania, where we’ve had a presence for decades, our local staff responded as soon as the crisis began. To date, we’ve provided 38,393 people with support including food, shelter, protection resources, and education and hygiene kits. That total includes children and women staying at a 2,000-person shelter, Bucharest’s largest. We make processing areas more child-friendly, facilitate transportation for refugees, establish temporary shelters with heaters, and facilitate medical support for refugee children.
• In Ukraine, World Vision is working with dozens of trusted partners and has shipped food, medical supplies, and shelter kits to support 14,738 people. On March 6, we delivered two vanloads of food and supplies to a 600-bed hospital that had issued an urgent plea for help to officials in its sister town of Siret, Romania. Delivery included mattresses, pillows, sheets, towels, soap, and disinfectant, as well as pasta, grains, rice, oil, condensed milk, and canned meat. Shipments are continuing to our partner hospitals in Chernivtsi (southwest Ukraine), including bedding, towels, and other supplies for displaced families.
• In Moldova, World Vision is working in partnership with the World Food Programme to support 6,000 Moldovan families hosting refugees and is also supporting the improvement of sanitation conditions at a shelter near the border. At least 4,000 individuals, including 1,640 children, have received necessary cleaning supplies and essentials. We’ve provided food and other supplies for refugee centers and have plans to support education continuity for displaced children.
• In Georgia, we’re helping support 4,000 Ukrainians who were temporarily in the country when the conflict began, including distributing vouchers to cover food, hygiene, clothing, and pharmacy costs. So far, 823 individuals have been supported through our programming and activities. We’re also working with the Ministry of Education to help 110 children get into school. So far, 58 children have been enrolled.

World Vision has worked in Eastern Europe for years, which positions us well to support those affected by this crisis. Last year we assisted 3.2 million people across the Middle East and Eastern Europe through emergency response programs.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

How many children are affected by the conflict in Ukraine?

Children make up half of all refugees from Ukraine. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports some 2 million children have fled the country, with another 2.5 million displaced within Ukraine. More than 1.1 million children have arrived in Poland, with hundreds of thousands also entering Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.

“We know that children have been killed, we know that thousands and thousands are at risk, and we know that more children, gutwrenchingly, are going to die or be injured in this unless fighting ends,” said James Elder, spokesperson for UNICEF.

At least 205 children’s deaths have been documented during the conflict, along with injuries to an additional 362 children, according to OHCHR.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

How are children being impacted by the Ukraine crisis?

Ukraine’s 7.5 million children have been put at grave risk. The conflict is forcing them into situations of extreme vulnerability and leading to mental and emotional stress, the loss of loved ones, interruption in education, and the destruction of homes and family livelihoods.

“Currently, almost one child every second is being forced to flee their home in Ukraine and seek refuge in neighboring countries,” said Mihaela Nabăr, national director of World Vision’s Romania office. “Some of these children have been on the move for days in freezing temperatures, going from one temporary accommodation to another. Many were forced to [leave] their clothes and toys, and maybe even pets behind. Their lives have changed in an instant, and for children, who need routine and familiarity, this has been deeply distressing.”

She said many of the children arriving in Romania shared their heartbreaking experiences after having witnessed fighting — or worse — and had seen their homes and communities damaged or destroyed.

“Many of these children lost everything they knew when the conflict began,” she said. “What we hope to do is to help them to start dealing with the trauma of war and the stress of being uprooted from their homes, communities, friends, and schools.”

BACK TO QUESTIONS

Is World Vision helping support the emotional needs of children?

World Vision has set up Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) to help meet the emotional needs of children impacted by the crisis. In these safe spaces, children can play, engage in informal learning, and express their worries and fears to trained, caring staff. Most importantly, they get a chance to just be a child with other children who are facing the same situation.

The national director for World Vision’s Romania office, Mihaela Nabăr, said the spaces also give children some time to experience aspects of a normal life again.

“World Vision research has shown that conflict has severe and long-term impacts on children. It is vitally important for children who have been forced to flee Ukraine to quickly retrieve some kind of routine, have something to look forward to and have something familiar they can enjoy. And this is what a CFS can partly provide.”

BACK TO QUESTIONS

What are other concerns for children in the Ukraine crisis?

Aside from the immediate and long-term impacts of stress on displaced children, World Vision has expressed concern about potential separation from their parents and families, exposing them to heightened risks of violence, exploitation, and abuse. “The children … are suffering. They are here with their mothers, they are separated from their fathers. They are crying. They are scared. The risk of trafficking is huge here at the border,” says Mihaela Nabăr, national director of World Vision’s Romania office.

The food security situation in Ukraine is also concerning. WFP officials warn food is getting harder to find for those left in the country.

The UNICEF Emergency Programs Director, Manuel Fontaine, remarks that nearly half of the estimated 3.2 million children displaced in Ukraine “may be at risk of not having enough food” in cities like Mariupol and Kherson, where people have gone weeks without running water.

About 450,000 children between the ages of 6 and 23 months now need complementary food support, according to UNICEF.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

How are children’s educational needs affected by the Ukraine conflict?

Since the start of the conflict on February 23, 2022, more than 733 educational institutions have been damaged or destroyed, disrupting access to education for thousands of children.

“No child should be forced out of school because of conflict,” said Isabel Gomes, World Vision’s Ukraine response director. “We know school provides a sense of normalcy that children caught up in conflict desperately need, in addition to offering them a safe space and protecting their futures. As the response moves into its second month, we’re focused on working with the authorities to help get children back into school.”

Host countries like Moldova are struggling to meet the basic needs of Ukrainian refugees. Moldova is one of Europe’s poorest nations and has the highest per capita refugee population in the region. World Vision is deeply concerned about children losing access to education. Nearly 90% of refugees in Moldova are women and children, with 97% of refugee children still out of school.

“After two years of COVID-19 lockdowns already, the impact that this crisis will have on children’s wellbeing, mental health, and education is frightening,” added Isabel.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

What else can I do to help children and families impacted by conflict?

Give to help provide care and support for children and families who have been forcibly displaced and those suffering the broader effects of the crisis.

Contact one of our corporate engagement representatives to get your company involved.

“Globally, 426 million children — nearly 1 in 5 — live in conflict zones. The world’s children cannot bear another war that threatens their well-being, education, and hope in their future,” said Edgar Sandoval Sr., president and CEO of World Vision U.S. “Children are at the center of our prayers for Ukraine as we hope and pray for a swift, peaceful resolution.”

Listen to an interview with World Vision U.S. President and CEO Edgar Sandoval Sr. as he shares how the organization is supporting Ukrainian refugees.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

The post UKRAINE CRISIS: Facts, FAQs, and how to help appeared first on B2B.

The Original Bradford Soap Works knows the personal care industry better than most: They’ve been innovating for 144 years and, today, their customers include many of the biggest brands in personal care. As a company committed to sustainability—they were the first U.S. soap manufacturer to receive organic certification—a partnership with World Vision makes perfect sense. Bradford was drawn to World Vision’s global reach and its focus on people and the planet, two of the company’s core priorities.

The collaboration began in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, when Bradford provided bar soap for World Vision’s emergency response efforts. Now, the partnership has grown into another instance of the company’s innovation. Because Bradford’s products are manufactured for other brands, they can’t donate finished bars, but they can donate the remaining shavings and chips—material that otherwise would be thrown out. “We at Bradford are focused on ‘zero waste’ and a circular economy, so by taking unused soap at the end of each production run and donating it, we are helping people globally while moving toward our goal of becoming a zero-waste facility. It is a win-win!” explains Stu Benton, president and CEO of Bradford.

World Vision ships these soap chips to communities where soap isn’t readily accessible. “World Vision’s outstanding logistics team allows for the seamless coordination of shipments and manages importation documents on our behalf,” Benton adds. In the first project, 15 women from a World Vision savings group in Zambia learned how to melt down the chips and turn them into bars, then sold their products to earn a stable income.

In a refugee camp in Somalia, Bradford and World Vision aimed to improve people’s health with better access to soap, empower women in vulnerable circumstances, and create job opportunities. The results have been impressive: In 2019, Bradford provided more than 165,000 pounds of soap base to World Vision, and over 75 women were employed making soap for their communities. With better hygiene resources, kids and families are healthier—noticeably shorter lines at the health clinic reflect it. In 2020, the donated soap came to over 755,000 pounds, making possible more jobs and opportunities for better health.

Bradford looks forward to expanding into more projects with World Vision. “I love that we can help the world while energizing our employees at the same time because they know they are making a difference,” says Benton.

The post CLEAN FUTURES: Surplus soap creates jobs and improves health in Somalia appeared first on B2B.

Single mom Chabeli Gonzalez returned from her errand to find a message waiting on her answering machine. It came from the local school district inviting her to a distribution of food, cleaning supplies, and school supplies at a nearby church, New Dimension Christian Center in Hartford, Connecticut.

She immediately shared the news with her mother, Carmen. “My mom asked, ‘Are you serious?’” says Chabeli. “We started tearing up.”

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, 28-year-old Chabeli worked two jobs — at a shop in her local mall during the day and in a bar on weekends — to make ends meet for herself; her 6-year-old son, Ahni; and Carmen. “This coronavirus is stressful on all of us,” she says.

Facing difficulties

It’s not the first time she’s faced difficulty. When Ahni was just 2, Chabeli and her now ex-husband took him for an appointment only to learn why Ahni wasn’t hitting his childhood milestones. The diagnosis: autism.

Doctors didn’t ever expect him to speak, but he’s defied their expectations. At age 4, he started speaking in more complete sentences. Now 6, when he gets excited, he’s very vocal. “He’s a little volcano of excitement,” says Chabeli. “We’ve come a long way.”

But she doesn’t want to jeopardize his progress or his health by exposing him to COVID-19, which is why the no-touch method of the church’s distribution felt especially important to her.

“That made me feel really better about being there,” says Chabeli. “They handed out it with love.”

An already-vulnerable community

Rosa McGuire heads up the outreach program at New Dimension Christian Center. People tell her how the coronavirus has exacerbated needs in this already-fragile community.

“With the pandemic, the situation is just escalating more. They find themselves in more critical need,” she says. “There’s great need right in our backyard. Any opportunity to reach our community and supply the needs that they have, we want to be able to reach out.”

She says that church and community members are hardworking people, but their income is low. People like Chabeli don’t have the safety of savings built up because they struggle getting by day to day.

In pre-pandemic times, the church ran a food pantry and clothing bank. Four years ago, they began partnering with World Vision’s warehouse in Hartford. “We don’t have the funds to continue to replenish what has been given away,” Rosa says. That’s where partners come in.

“With World Vision, we can continue to give,” she says. “World Vision continues to restock us.”

When Rosa got the call from World Vision to distribute Family Emergency Kits to families especially hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, she was more than ready to say yes. The kits are part of World Vision’s U.S. response to help alleviate the economic fallout of COVID-19 on families.

Keeping the love going

Chabeli, Carmen, and Ahni opened the box together. First, they saw rice and then a bag of oatmeal. That was especially exciting for Ahni, who Chabeli describes as a picky eater. “We made cookies for days,” she says.

And then there were the school supplies. Ahni always claimed to hate school, but now that he’s been home for so long, he misses his friends. He’s lonely, says Chabeli. The notebook, pack of pencils, and crayons drew his interest.

She says, “That was awesome. It was something for him to be able to play with.” Now every day he uses those pencils and crayons to create little notes for Chabeli that read, “I love mom.”

People “don’t really see how so little can go so far,” when they make donations, says Chabeli. Pens, pencils, and paper have brought Ahni hours of enjoyment. For her, two bags of groceries can cost $100. Now she can take the money she would’ve spent on food and get new shoes for Ahni, who’s growing fast. He seems to go through tennis shoes every four to six months.

“We don’t take the time to say thanks, job well done, [and] pat someone on the back,” Chabeli says before adding her thanks to the donors who made the distribution possible. “This definitely put food into homes that needed it. It fed our family.”

Before the partnership with World Vision, Rosa struggled with wanting to do more to help the community. “It’s exciting to be able to meet that need that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to meet,” says Rosa. “Without [the donors’] assistance we would not be able to leave such a big impression.”

The post Relief supplies support family in need appeared first on B2B.

Hollywood is synonymous with glamour — a glitzy town where an aspiring actor’s dreams can come true. But you’ll find more than pink terrazzo stars on the city’s Walk of Fame. It’s also home to some of the 60,000 Los Angelenos who live on the streets or in their cars. They lack access to basic sanitation — toilets and showers — and even clean water. In a city where the sun beats down relentlessly, hygiene is a challenge, especially with COVID-19 closing businesses and public spaces like libraries where those without homes could normally find bathrooms.

The Shower of Hope is one organization providing relief to these unhoused individuals and families. It’s set up seven showers in the parking lot of Hollywood’s Adventist Church (now closed for indoor worship due to the coronavirus) — one of 25 locations where The Shower of Hope operates.

Providing hope

Tuesday through Friday, homeless people arrive — often carrying their every possession in a backpack slung over a shoulder — to take showers. “It’s a very interesting system,” says John Schoer of Adventist Health. “It’s kind of like a spa. During the day, you won’t see a long line, but it is virtually full every 10 minutes.”

“Sixty to 70% of the people utilizing the showers are unhoused, living in their cars, but still working,” says John. “They need to be presentable and respectable for work, but they don’t have homes.” People come and go quietly. “A lot of them are concerned about letting their employers know they live in their cars,” says John. “They are afraid of being fired.”

For years, the church provided two showers for homeless community members through its outreach ministry. But when COVID-19 hit Hollywood, Adventist Health, Kohler, and World Vision formed a partnership to help. “We came together to make this happen,” says John. Adventist Health reached out to The Shower of Hope to bring the specially-designed trailer to Los Angeles. World Vision supplies the products needed to keep the program running, and the church provides space for the showers. Thirty-year-old Andrew Froemming oversees the project. “Andrew is a one-man show,” says John. Andrew is the administrative director for the church — a title that doesn’t come close to capturing his outreach to the city’s homeless community.

Partnering to meet increased need

When Andrew moved to Los Angeles from Minnesota eight years ago, he was stunned to see how many people live on the streets. He began to form relationships with these neighbors. “We get to know them on a first name basis,” says Andrew. “It becomes like a family.” He calls every person who books an appointment a guest, because that’s what they are.

“When COVID-19 hit Los Angeles, the demand for showers went up exponentially,” Andrew says. “Often low-income people have an inexpensive gym membership so they can shower. But people weren’t allowed into gyms or buildings anymore.” The church’s two showers were inadequate.

Eric Birky grew up in Wisconsin, then the family moved to Phoenix when his parents sold their farm. When they died, he moved to Los Angeles with a friend. “I had no idea he would end up in a nursing home,” Eric says. “I then had no place to be.” Eric had been living on the streets for three years when he learned about the Hollywood Adventist Church and started attending their program for homeless people, called A Million Drops.

Giving back

Now Eric volunteers to help check in homeless people in need of showers. “Even though I am homeless, I can give back,” he says. But he is also a guest. Nearly 59, Eric has arthritis — his right knee is now bone-on-bone, and he desperately needs surgery. “It’s tough getting old,” he chuckles. But as a homeless person, surgery is but a dream.

Eric is grateful for the showers. “The showers are actually beautiful. They are luxurious. The music is piped in. It feels very relaxing. I could stay there forever,” he says.

He’s grateful not only for himself but for the other 60,000 homeless people in Los Angeles: “If these showers weren’t here, it would be very rough for people,” he says. “I walk past certain areas where I see people with ragged clothes. You can see they’re dirty — not because they want to be, but because of their circumstances.”

World Vision supplies the necessities to keep the program running. Before World Vision became involved, donations came from volunteers at the church. But with a congregation of only 150 members, those donations couldn’t meet the need. Inside the church, stacked boxes of socks, hand sanitizer, deodorant, and shampoo have just arrived. “We go through hundreds of bottles every week,” says Andrew.

Staying strong despite uncertain future

Andrew himself may soon face homelessness. The church funds his salary through operating the building as a community center. But COVID-19 put a stop to that. “This month, our big rental went away,” he says. “That covered my salary. I still don’t know if they can cover my salary, but we don’t want to see the showers go away.” The only other place with public showers is the YMCA on the other side of Hollywood, but more people shower at the Adventist church, he says. Last year his neighbor, a woman in the film industry, became homeless when she lost her job and was evicted from her apartment. “Now I am in the same position,” he says. But Andrew is optimistic—he’s seen the community come through tough times before.

Meanwhile, the work continues. “We started with 140 a week,” Andrew says. “One week almost 200 people came through.” Last month, The Shower of Hope provided 775 showers for its guests. “We are only limited by capacity,” he says. Limited by capacity, but certainly not by love. And that’s better than getting a star on the Walk of Fame.

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Disasters in all forms — natural, man-made, and complex emergencies and refugee crises — delivered an unprecedentedly turbulent blow to the world in 2020.

“2020 was a challenging one for all of us, individually and corporately,” says Erica Van Deren, a senior program manager for World Vision humanitarian and emergency affairs.

Around the world, World Vision works to protect the well-being of children and their families affected by all types of disasters and tragedies — from the COVID-19 pandemic, civil wars, and hurricanes to destructive locust infestations. “The complexity of the pandemic and its secondary impacts on all aspect[s] of the lives of children is overwhelming. And other emergencies did not stop because of COVID-19 — hurricanes, explosions, hunger, and insecurity continued,” says Erica. “Through all of this, World Vision has been able to respond.”

We adapted our work worldwide, remaining responsive and agile to meet the needs of the most vulnerable children.

“While we don’t know what 2021 will hold, we remain steadfast in our commitment to our work,” Erica says.

Learn about eight of the worst disasters in 2020 and how World Vision’s responding to care for millions of children and their families.

The COVID-19 pandemic

Within hours of the World Health Organization’s declaration of a pandemic on March 11, 2020, World Vision launched its largest-ever global emergency response.

As of December 9, worldwide COVID-19 cases have surpassed 68 million, and more than 1.5 million people have died. The United States has the most cases globally with over 15 million.

World Vision’s global COVID-19 emergency response aims to provide targeted support to reach at least 72 million vulnerable people — including 36 million children — in more than 70 countries. We’ve already served 54.3 million people, including 24.3 million children.

Our global response focuses on four programmatic areas of intervention, which we adapt based on context and local need:

1. Scaling up preventive measures to slow the spread
2. Strengthening healthcare systems and workers
3. Supporting children impacted by the effects of the pandemic
4. Collaborating and advocating with partners to ensure that vulnerable children get the care they need

In the United States, World Vision’s U.S. Programs has distributed more than 54,000 Family Emergency Kits to food-insecure families in 14 cities. We’ve also partnered with more than 100 churches to distribute 1.6 million boxes of fresh meat, produce, and dairy to help 4 million people.

In each of our sponsorship communities worldwide, we’re working with community partners to keep children and families safe. Every 60 seconds, World Vision’s helping more than 180 people survive, recover, and rebuild from the effects of COVID-19.

Locust swarms and hunger in Africa

Swarms of desert locusts, the most destructive migratory pest in the world, are devouring large swaths of crops and grasses meant for people and livestock in Eastern Africa.

It’s the worst infestation in decades in parts of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda. And it’s also affecting crops in nearby South Sudan and Yemen. The locusts are threatening food security throughout Africa, where 51.2% of people face moderate or severe acute food insecurity, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

Facing the worst locust outbreak in over 25 years, Somalia declared a national emergency. Many communities are still recovering from the prolonged drought from 2017, followed by severe flooding in 2019, and food security’s deteriorating.

“We are currently working with our World Vision offices in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia to assess the locust infestation situation and look at solutions for and with communities,” says Lindsay Gladding, director of fragile and humanitarian affairs for World Vision. “Our primary concern remains the welfare and protection of children, and what this means for them now and in the future.”

World Vision’s distributing essential emergency assistance to communities affected by the locust invasion in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan. In addition, we’re distributing seeds to replenish destroyed food crops and regenerate damaged pastures.

Beirut, Lebanon, port explosion

On August 4, an explosion at Beirut’s port, fueled by 2,750 tons of abandoned ammonium nitrate, was one of the largest non-nuclear accidental blasts ever. At least 190 people died, and 6,000 others were injured.

The blast immediately displaced more than 300,000 people. Families sought temporary shelter with relatives and friends or in schools or other community buildings. World Vision immediately responded to the explosion by conducting door-to-door assessments and distributing food parcels, Hygiene Kits, and disinfecting kits — all while raising awareness about COVID-19.

The blast compounds the existing situation in Lebanon, a nation suffering from the burden of an economic crisis, an influx of refugees, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The people of Lebanon have suffered enough,” says Rami Shamma, World Vision’s field operations director for Lebanon. “They are strong, but they need the world’s support to survive this tragedy.”

World Vision’s supporting 130,000 people with basic assistance, shelter, child protection, education, cash programming, and clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. Items distributed include 1,684 Hygiene Kits, 1,451 disinfecting kits, 4,984 face masks, 359 blankets, 19 tents, and 499 mattresses. At least 12,031 people also received food boxes, and an additional 12,035 people, of which 4,077 are children, benefited from emergency programs.

World Vision’s been working in Lebanon since its civil war began in 1975 and continues to assist both Lebanese families and refugee communities through emergency relief, development projects, as well as advocacy.

Hurricanes Eta and Iota

A record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season unleashed storms like no other. In November, our emergency response teams raced against time to prepare communities in Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador for Hurricanes Eta and Iota.

Hurricane Eta made landfall in Nicaragua as a Category 4 on November 3. Hurricane Iota then struck — about 15 miles south of Eta — as a Category 4 storm on November 16.

The storms packed powerful winds, gusting more than 140 miles per hour and causing heavy rains, flooding, and mudslides. Hundreds died and many more remain missing.

“One of our main focuses will be to ensure that, even amid the chaos caused by these natural disasters, the people impacted are still protected against COVID-19,” says Jose Nelson Chavez, regional advisor in emergencies for World Vision in Latin America. World Vision’s assisting over 124,000 families in Central America with humanitarian aid, which includes COVID-19 protection kits for children and their families. Our pre-positioned supplies worldwide ensure emergency relief teams can respond immediately to disasters, like Hurricanes Eta and Iota.

Rohingya refugee crisis

After mass atrocities in Myanmar forced them to flee for their lives, more than 860,000 Rohingya — more than half of whom are children — are still living in limbo in the world’s largest refugee camp, Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh.

“The Rohingya are resilient, courageous survivors, but refugee parents here are afraid,” says Fredrick Christopher, World Vision’s response director in Bangladesh. “They see their children growing up in the camps without the quality education they will need to build a new life back home in Myanmar one day, or the life skills to cope with daily hardship in the camp. They are quickly becoming a lost generation.”

COVID-19 precautions and restrictions in the camps — although needed — are amplifying the extreme protection risks that Rohingya children routinely face, such as physical and sexual violence, exploitation and abuse, child marriage, child labor, and gender-based violence.

“Before the pandemic, Rohingya children had limited access to any educational services. Now with learning centers closed and fewer humanitarians accessing in the camps, they have even less protection,” Fredrick says. “Without work, their parents are forced to turn to negative coping strategies, such as marrying their children off or sending them out to work. We know child marriage is on the rise and reportedly children as young as age 7 are working in some camps.”

World Vision’s working with Rohingya parents, faith leaders, and community members to strengthen community-based child protection. We’re also supporting families stressed by the health and economic impact of COVID-19.

World Vision served more than 498,000 Rohingya refugees this year, as well as host community residents, with protection and education services, food assistance, maternal and child nutrition programs, WASH facilities, and cash-based support.

Syria civil war and refugee crisis

Syria’s one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a child: Nearly 5 million children were born into war since the escalation of violence started there nearly a decade ago. As the Syrian refugee crisis is now in its 10th year, millions of children are experiencing a second decade of life immersed in war, violence, and displacement. At least 1 million children have been born as refugees in neighboring countries.

“The war and COVID-19 pandemic have destroyed their lives. I wish I could ease their suffering. Being part of World Vision, I have dedicated myself to those people daily,” says Ahlam, a child protection coordinator for World Vision in Lebanon.

Since the start of the crisis, we’ve helped more than 2.5 million people in the Middle East with healthcare, psychosocial support, supplies for cold winter months, education programs, food aid, and clean water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Venezuelan refugee and migrant crisis

Venezuela’s one of the most unstable and violent countries in the world. The country’s turmoil has forced more than 5.4 million people to flee the county seeking better living conditions, separating at least a million children from their parents.

The largest migration from Latin America is fueled by Venezuela’s collapsed economy, hyperinflation, food and medicine scarcities, and educational shortages stemming from years of political unrest. At least 94% of the population lives in poverty, and about 30% are unable to get enough nutritious food. In 2020, an estimated 766,000 people migrated to Colombia, more than 477,000 to Peru, 472,827 to Chile, 178,246 to Ecuador, and 148,782 to Brazil, according to data from the U.N. High Commission for Refugees.

World Vision’s responded to the Venezuelan refugee and migrant crisis since January 2019. As of September 2020, we’ve reached more than 411,000 people through programs focused on child protection, education, and food security and livelihoods in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

Now that COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in Latin America, Venezuelans’ needs are increasing. Many who have struggled for employment and live in poor conditions are now at high risk for contracting the disease and suffering its secondary economic and social effects. World Vision’s cash transfers and food aid have become a vital lifeline.

Yemen civil war and food crisis

Civil war has besieged Yemen. Four years of civil conflict and the resulting food crisis has created a massive humanitarian emergency. More than 22 million people — three-quarters of the country’s population — need life-saving aid.

In Yemen, the economy has collapsed, and food prices have skyrocketed. The conflict has killed more than 233,000 people, including 12,000 civilians, and displaced more than 3 million.

In the past year, 380,000 people contracted cholera because half of the population lacks regular access to safe water and basic hygiene. People in the worst-affected areas have been starving to death because of near-famine conditions. And 1.8 million children are suffering from malnutrition, including 400,000 on the very edge of life.

It’s difficult for humanitarian agencies to get aid into the country due to the volatile security situation. But in November 2019, World Vision began working with the United Nations and other agencies already in Yemen to support efforts to protect and care for children overcome by this crisis. Our work’s focused on rehabilitating water points to provide safe drinking water for 17,500 people.

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Discover more worst disasters of the year:

• 5 of the worst disasters in 2013
• 5 of the worst disasters in 2014
• 6 of the worst disasters in 2015
• 6 of the worst disasters in 2016
• 5 of the worst disasters in 2017
• 7 of the worst disasters in 2018
• 6 of the worst disasters in 2019

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