Emergency Relief  

Children in Conflicts and Catastrophes  

SOS Children's Villages Mali
A group of boys unloading supplies from SOS at Kita, Mali. Photo courtesy of Jens Honore.
Help must be provided quickly, without bureaucracy and in a targeted manner in situations of crisis, war and disaster. In such traumatic situations children in particular need specific protection and intensive care. SOS Children's Villages is not a designated emergency relief organization, but in many countries it is in the position to fall back on an established infrastructure if rapid intervention is required in times of crisis. The target group of our emergency relief measures, which often turn into long-term projects, is children and families.

Children in Conflicts

Violence, whatever its form, always has a devastating effects on individual people and society as a whole. Children are subjected to extreme situations, which cause unforeseen mental and physical damage. Wars, armed conflicts, persecution and displacement remain an unacceptable reality for millions of children. Here, you can read accounts, reports, and information on the background of different points of conflict, and how SOS Children's Villages provides support for children and families that have been affected.

Children in Catastrophes

The material, medical and psychosocial care and security of children during or after disasters is the main focus of the emergency relief programs of SOS Children's Villages. When there are floods, earthquakes, fires, cold weather, famine, etc. we need to step in with humanitarian aid in many regions of the world. It is particularly important to SOS Children's Villages that children and their families not only receive care in the short term, but that support is also provided on a long-term basis.

SOS Children's Villages Mali

SOS Continues to Work in Central Mali

Sévaré, Mopti is the last town between SOS and the frontlines of Mali’s ongoing conflict in northern Mali. Six miles away from Mopti, SOS families in Socoura have evacuated, joining the growing number of displaced peoples throughout Mali. Read more about the conflict in Mali...
SOS Children's Villages Haiti

Haiti, 3 Years On

SOS is doing what it can to help the children of Haiti, by building schools and villages. But we need your help to ensure that children in Haiti get the aid they need for basic supplies like food, medicine and shelter. Click here to see how you can help in Haiti...
SOS Children's Villages Syria

UPDATE: Stepping up Emergency Relief in Syria

As the situation for civilians worsens in Syria, and the harsh conditions of wintertime are foreseen to worsen suffering, we are expanding our work for families in Syria. Read more about our work in Syria...
SOS Children's Villages Guatemala

Earthquake Kills 48 in Guatemala, SOS CV Prepares for Relief Efforts

At least 48 people have been killed and 20 are missing after a 7.4-magnitude quake hit off of Guatemala's Pacific coast at about 10:30 AM local time, the worst since a 1976 quake that left 25,000 people dead. Read more about the earthquake in Guatemala...
SOS Children's Villages Haiti

UPDATE: Hurricane Sandy Damages SOS Schools in Haiti

Three out of the four schools that SOS Haiti has built have been damaged by 60 mile per hour winds. Beneficiaries of SOS programs have suffered through the loss of their homes, as they were swept away by the flood waters of the Rivière Grise. Read more about the disaster in Haiti...
SOS Children's Villages Brazil

European Union to Launch Peace Corps-type Program in 2014

Europe is launching a program that will send 10,000 volunteers across the globe to provide on-the-ground humanitarian aid to disaster victims Read more about the EU's initiative here...
REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Children and Families Vulnerable as Violence Rocks Syria

In this interview, an SOS staff member in Syria details the tough conditions that the Syrian people endure. The work of SOS in Syria is focused on keeping vulnerable people safe from the violence that continues to ravage their country. Read the interview on the situation of children in Syria...
SOS Children's Villages Philippines

SOS Children in Philippines Helping Flooded Neighbors

August 20, 2012: Torrential rains from Typhoon Saola flooded the Philippine capital of Manila. SOS Children’s Villages in Manila was not affected by the deluge. Grateful to be safe, staff and children at SOS have been busy helping those in need in the community. Learn more about the children's community outreach...
SOS Children's Villages the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Families and Children in Eastern Congo Once Again Victims of Political Violence

August 14, 2012: Violence in the eastern part of Congo has uprooted from their homes almost half a million people since July, the result of fighting between government and rebel troops. Read about the rising violence in the DRC here...
SOS Children's Villages South Sudan

South Sudan Refugees Face Uncertainty

August 14, 2012: Adeng arrived at the Dangarshuf Way Station. She was looking after a group of seven children, and was pregnant with her fourth. Though she is happy to be in an independent South Sudan, she is uncertain of her future and the future of her children. Read Adeng's story here...