Emergencies

Emergencies and poverty are closely linked. Poverty makes people more vulnerable to disaster and repeated disasters can force communities into chronic poverty.

Poor communities do not have the resources to meet their immediate needs and rebuild in the wake of disaster without support. Disasters can wipe out years of development progress. With the number of disasters increasing, responding to emergencies is a critical part of the struggle to overcome global poverty.

CWS responds to emergencies through ACT International, a global emergency network working in partnership with local groups around the world to deliver appropriate and effective relief to those in greatest need when natural and man made disasters strike.

Emergencies include conflicts, the mass movement of refugees and displaced peoples, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, flooding, cyclones/hurricanes, drought and famine.