When disaster hits, children need help fast
When the ground shook in Türkiye, families had only moments to escape collapsing buildings. In those first few hours, quick responses are critical. But Save the Children’s teams were already on their way. This is the difference that regular donors can make.
Emergencies don’t wait. Cyclones, earthquakes, floods and conflict strike fast, leaving children vulnerable to injury, hunger and trauma. In the chaos that follows, every second counts. The faster the response, the more lives can be saved. That’s why Save the Children is so grateful for regular donations – they help us act quickly and effectively, long before headlines appear.
Disasters affect everyone, but children can suffer the most. In a matter of moments, their homes, schools and sense of safety can vanish. They face disease, hunger, separation from family, and emotional distress.
The first 72 hours after a disaster are critical. Essential supplies like clean water, emergency food, shelter and healthcare can mean the difference between survival and loss. Yet without preparation, many organisations struggle to respond in time.
How regular giving keeps us ready to respond
Regular donors help provide the foundation that allows Save the Children to be ready before disaster strikes. Their contributions fund our responses, allowing for quickly deployable resources that enable us to act within hours. This support includes:
- Stockpiling of emergency supplies like tents, food and medicine
- Partnerships and trained staff, ready to activate quickly
- Emergency Health Units that can deploy within 24 hours
- Temporary learning and safe spaces to support children’s wellbeing
What your support makes possible in a crisis
In early 2023, there was an earthquake that struck the Türkiye-Syria border (Türkiye and Syria Earthquake). Save the Children’s teams in Türkiye and Syria were quickly distributing blankets, food and hygiene kits to families seeking shelter. Child-friendly spaces were established, so children had a safe environment to play, learn and begin processing what had happened.
This response was so effective thanks to regular donors. Their ongoing support ensured aid was ready to move, long before the shaking started. Here’s how it worked:
- Ongoing: Regular donations fuel the Children’s Emergency Fund
- Day 1: Earthquake hits, teams activate immediately
- Day 2–3: Supplies arrive, healthcare and child protection begin
- Week 1: Children are supported, families begin rebuilding
Why regular support matters more than a one-time gift
It’s a common question: isn’t a large donation more impactful? One-time gifts are incredibly valuable, especially in large-scale emergencies. But they are reactive. They arrive after the crisis begins.
Regular donations are different. They allow us to prepare in advance. That means having staff, stockpiles and response plans ready to go. It means helping children within hours, not days.
Both are needed. But only one ensures readiness.
Become a regular giver today
When you give regular, children don’t have to wait. You help save lives at the most critical moments. You provide stability and care when everything else has fallen away. And you do it as part of a global movement dedicated to protecting every child’s right to survive, learn and thrive.
Even a small regular gift, like $10 four weekly, can deliver clean water, food or essential medical care when it’s needed most. Make your impact by becoming a regular giver today. Start your regualr gift and help us be there for children, whenever and wherever disaster strikes.