Disaster Response

Whether it is a sudden emergency or an ongoing crisis, CARE fights to aid people in need around the world.

A woman holds her small child in front of a hut.

CARE / Josh Estey

In 2020, 168 million people need humanitarian assistance — a number that has continued to grow over the last decade.

70.8 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes. The human consequences of these crises are devastating. Families struggle to find shelter, to get enough to eat, and to find safe places to rebuild their lives. One in five women in crisis has experienced sexual assault.

On average, humanitarian crises are more complex than at any time in the last 15 years, and last nearly three years longer than they used to. Conflict, migration, and climate change are the key trends driving these crises — with 8 of the worst food crises in the world linked to conflict and climate change. And so far, we have only raised 54% of the money we would need to help all of the people in crisis.

CARE COVID-19 Response

For people already living in crisis, the effects of COVID-19 will be devastating.

These trends to longer, more complicated crises have a huge impact on our ability to support the people in need.

We need to think about funding over the long term, and not just to fill immediate gaps. We need to think about ways to prepare people and communities to cope with shocks and respond to emergencies themselves. We need to strengthen local institutions that can respond to people on the ground. And we need to find ways to address trends like climate change and conflict that make the situation worse.

Health in Emergencies

Natural disasters, armed conflict, and political unrest increase women’s and girls’ vulnerability.

Women’s Leadership in Emergencies

Supporting women’s leadership and collective action during emergencies.

Hunger in Emergencies

As inequality continues to rise, increasingly unjust and broken food systems – and the pressures of conflict and increasing climate change – have led to over 800 million hungry people, a number that is growing.

Current Disaster Response Efforts

CARE COVID-19 Response

For people already living in crisis, the effects of COVID-19 will be devastating. Read More

CARE COVID-19 Response

Cyclone Idai

The cyclone, the strongest to hit Southern Africa, has affected at least 3 million people in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Read More

Cyclone Idai

Yemen Humanitarian Crisis

With millions on the brink of famine, the UN is calling the civil war in Yemen the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Read More

Yemen Humanitarian Crisis

Venezuela Refugee Crisis

More than 3 million people have fled the country - the largest exodus in Latin America in a century. Read More

Venezuela Refugee Crisis

Syrian Refugee Crisis

The ongoing armed conflict in Syria has left up to 13.5 million people, more than half of whom are children, in need of humanitarian aid. Read More

Syrian Refugee Crisis

Myanmar Refugee Crisis

More than 915,000 people have fled to Bangladesh after an escalation of violence in Myanmar's northern Rakhine State. Read More

Myanmar Refugee Crisis

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