img

Crisis response

Delivering life-saving aid in emergencies

When disaster strike, children are most vulnerable. Together, we can keep them safe. 

 

Responding to emergencies:
Protecting children when they need us most

Founded in the devastating aftermath of World War II, SOS Children’s Villages brings over 75 years of expertise to today’s most urgent humanitarian crises. Our locally led teams employ a “first in, last out” approach—providing immediate relief, rebuilding sustainably and preventing crises that arise from leaving an emergency-affected area prematurely.  

 We are the only organization who understands the unique complexities and needs of children without or separated from their parents, and we are equipped to provide quality care so children can thrive—no matter the state of the world they live in.  

Child protection at the heart of emergency response

During crises, children face unimaginable challenges—enduring extreme distress that leaves them vulnerable to anxiety, PTSD and other mental health challenges. These crises disrupt their education, increases their likelihood of never finishing school and exposes them to life-threatening injuries.  

Our emergency response is built around comprehensive child protection, ensuring children have the safety and support they need for healthy long-term development:  

 

 

Learn about our current response efforts

Preventing institutional care 

Emergencies leave children at an increased risk of losing or being separated from their parents. Without the protection of their parents, they are incredibly vulnerable to abuse, labor or sex trafficking or other forms of exploitation. 

Instead of allowing children to be placed in orphanages or other institutionalized care—which has negative effects on a child’s short- and long-term development—SOS provides:  

 

 

Support this work

Learn more about our work

 

Raising children in loving homes

Unlike the cold, clinical approach of institutional care—like orphanages or large group homes, where children face caregiver-to-child ratios as high as 31:1 and siblings are often separated—we provide individualized, trauma-informed care in family-like homes where siblings remain together. 

Building strong families

We work directly with vulnerable families to address the root causes of family separation and prevent the crisis before it occurs. Our locally staffed, community-based programs help families create stable, loving environments where children can thrive.