A crisis can strike suddenly, without warning. Natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, droughts and earthquakes can devastate communities, and man-made crises of conflict, social and political unrest can destabilise entire nations.
In times of crisis, local churches are uniquely placed to reach out to children in need and their families. Compassion’s partnerships with local churches mean we can respond to urgent needs with a strong understanding of who we are helping.
We will always strive to provide up-to-date information when crises occur.
Please pray for the many children and their families who are affected by crises around the world.
A crisis can strike suddenly, without warning. Natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, droughts and earthquakes can devastate communities, and man-made crises of conflict, social and political unrest can destabilise entire nations.
In times of crisis, local churches are uniquely placed to reach out to children in need and their families. Compassion’s partnerships with local churches mean we can respond to urgent needs with a strong understanding of who we are helping.
We will always strive to provide up-to-date information when crises occur. Please pray for the many children and their families who are affected by crises around the world.
For information on how coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting Compassion assisted children, click here.
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Cholera Outbreak in Uganda 07 Aug, 2020
The situation
Local churches worked with local health authorities and community leaders to address a localised cholera outbreak and create a strategy to reduce the number of cases and ensure children received treatment. The World Health Organisation (WHO) contributed vaccines that also reduced the number of cases.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 0 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 5
New information
All affected children and families have received medical treatment and made a full recovery.
Prayer
Please pray for the prevention of another outbreak. Praise God that all of the children are safe and healthy, especially those who were affected.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Heavy rain and strong winds in Sri Lanka 06 Aug, 2020
The situation
Strong winds and heavy rains in north and north-west Sri Lanka have brought down trees, destroyed homes and caused localised flooding.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: unknown Number of Compassion assisted children affected: unknown
New information
Local staff are assessing the impact on child development centres, local partners, and children and their families. Affected families are temporarily living with neighbours or relatives. Local workers and volunteers have helped to clean out houses and provided polythene sheets to cover damaged roofs.
Prayer
Please pray for the safety and security of affected children and families. Pray for the local staff as they assess the situation and help the families find a way forward.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Flooding in Ghana 29 Jun, 2020
The situation
A storm occurred in the Asuboni-Odumasi community in Eastern Ghana which damaged many homes. The heavy rainfall caused flooding and the wind ripped roofs from homes.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 0 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 5
New information
The affected families are temporarily living with friends or relatives.
Prayer
Please pray for the affected children and families as the church ministers to them and supports them during this difficult time.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Cyclone Amphan in Bangladesh (Crisis Update) 24 Jun, 2020
New information
Since the cyclone hit Bangladesh, there has been more heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and lightening. Some of the affected areas are still struggling with loss of electricity and access to clean water.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local (church) partners affected: 23 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 572
The national staff and local church partners are preparing to purchase materials and repair homes.
Prayer
Please pray for the protection and provision of affected children and families as they recover from damages incurred.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Flooding in Rwanda 24 Jun, 2020
The situation
Since early April Rwanda has experienced a severe rainy season. The rains and strong winds have caused extensive flooding, landslides and the destruction of infrastructure (e.g. bridges, roads, and homes). All provinces have been impacted, but the Western province has been hardest hit. Families in disaster prone locations were evacuated and living in temporary shelters in school buildings.
Global Compassion impact
It is estimated that more than 800 Compassion assisted children have been impacted. Sadly, one child and his sibling passed away when their home was flooded at night while they were sleeping. The church partners are coordinating with the national office to provide relief support (e.g. food, basic household items, and rent for temporary shelters), as needed.
New information
The families that were in temporary shelters have returned to their homes. The local church partner has been providing support to the affected families. The situation has stabilized now.
Prayer
Thank you for your prayers for the affected children and church partners throughout Rwanda.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Flooding in Tabora and Simiyu Regions, Tanzania 23 Jun, 2020
The situation
Heavy rainfall and flooding in western Tanzania damaged many homes and household items in the districts of Nzega, Bariadi, and Busaga.
Global Compassion impact
Five Compassion assisted children, one caregiver, and three siblings were injured. They received medical care and are recovering. The national staff and local church partners are supporting all affected families.
Prayer
Please pray for the safety and protection of our children in this area.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Floods in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania (Crisis Update) 17 Jun, 2020
New information
Fortunately, the floods and landslides have subsided.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local (church) partners affected: 0 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 56
DAP (disaster reimbursable) funds were utilized to help restore livelihoods, replace lost items, and make some minor repairs to homes.
Prayer
Thank you for your prayers for the affected children, families and the church partner.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Desert Locust Crisis in Kenya (Crisis Update) 16 Jun, 2020
New information
Kenya continues to face an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods due to new swarms of locusts in multiple areas of the country. The government continues ground and aerial control operations.
Global Compassion impact
Two local church partners are affected and up to 347 Compassion assisted children.
Compassion's response
Since the government is managing the locust disaster, Compassion Kenya is continuing to monitor the situation and disseminate migration pattern information to the church partners. Appropriate interventions will be identified and implemented for the affected families.
Prayer
Please continue to pray for the protection of crops and land farmed by the affected families.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan in Sri Lanka (Crisis Update) 16 Jun, 2020
New information
The weather has improved and now they are only experiencing scattered showers occasionally.
Global Compassion impact
15 Compassion assisted children from several church partners have been affected: LK0205, LK0212, LK0213, and LK0703. The church partners are providing dry food rations to the affected households.
Prayer
Thank you for your prayers for the safety of beneficiaries, families, and church partners throughout Sri Lanka.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Tropical Storm Cristobal in El Salvador (Crisis Update) 16 Jun, 2020
New information
El Salvador has moved from a Red Alert to a Green status.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local (church) partners affected: 0 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 377
The church partners continue to support affected families particularly in the realm of food security.
Prayer
Thank you for your prayers for the affected children, families and church partners.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Tropical Storm Amanda in Guatemala (Crisis Update) 13 Jun, 2020
New information
The storm impact in Guatemala was extensive with damage to at least 900 homes due to flooding and landslides.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local (church) partners affected: 0 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 7
The affected children are living in temporary shelters. The church partner has provided groceries for the affected families. The assessment of impact is still ongoing.
Prayer
Please continue to pray for the safety and provision of affected children, families, and church partners.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Heavy Rains at TG0247, Togo 09 Jun, 2020
The situation
Torrential rain fell on the Kloto Mountains and the community of Blifou. The rain, in conjunction with strong winds, damaged many buildings and homes (e.g. roofs blown off).
Global Compassion impact
A builing at TG0247 was damaged. Fortunately, no Compassion assisted children's homes were damaged and there were no injuries. The church is utilizing local support to clear the debris, gathering pebbles and stones, and collecting wood to make repairs. The church is in communication with national staff to determine how they can best be supported.
Prayer
Please pray for the church partner as they recover from the damages.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Tropical Storm Amanda, El Salvador 09 Jun, 2020
The situation
Tropical Storm Amanda is actually a continuation of the Tropical Depression (reported previously). The storm caused extensive damage through flooding and landslides, particularly in the coastal and mountainous areas. Thousands of people took refuge in shelters.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local (church) partners affected: 2 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 746
El Salvador is utilizing DAP (disaster reimbursable) funds to support affected children and their families. Impact assessment is still in progress.
Prayer
Please pray for the safety and provision of affected children, families, and church partners in El Salvador.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Floods and Landslides in Uganda 05 Jun, 2020
The situation
Multiple areas in Uganda are experiencing torrential rains, flooding and landslides. Thousands of people have been displaced and hundreds of homes destroyed.
Global Compassion impact
Church partner staff are assessing impact to the children and their families. The affected children and their families continue to live in temporary locations and are being supported by the church partners. Uganda plans to prepare a CIV intervention to help rebuild homes.
Prayer
Please pray for the provision and safety of our children and church partners in Uganda.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Tropical Storm Amanda in Guatemala 04 Jun, 2020
The situation
Tropical Storm Amanda caused eight structural collapses, as well as triggered 10 landslides and 22 floods in at least 11 departments of Guatemala.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local (church) partners affected: 0 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 2
The affected children are living in temporary shelters. The church partner has provided groceries for the affected families. The assessment of impact is still ongoing.
Prayer
Please pray for the safety and provision of affected children, families, and church partners.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Tropical Storm Cristobal in El Salvador 04 Jun, 2020
The situation
El Salvador was struck by a third storm in the last couple of weeks. The storm brought more heavy rainfall and strong winds, which has increased the threat of landslides, flash floods, damage to infrastructure and the loss of crops. Families living in the danger zones were evacuated.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local (church) partners affected: 0 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 3
The church partners are still assessing impact. They have provided food, hygiene kits and temporary shelters for affected children and their families.
Prayer
Please pray for the safety and provision of affected children, families, and church partners in El Salvador.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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May Flooding in Kenya 03 Jun, 2020
The situation
Rains have stopped in most parts of the country.
Global Compassion impact
Three local church partners are affected and up to 694 beneficiaries.
Compassion's response
The affected families were supported with replacement of household items and other basic needs. The church partners are mobilizing local resources to help the families repair their homes.
Prayer
Thank you for your prayers for the affected children, families, and church partners throughout Kenya.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Cholera Outbreak in Moroto – Karamoja, Uganda 03 Jun, 2020
The situation
A cholera outbreak is affecting several communities in the Moroto – Karamoja region. A district task force and cholera treatment unit have been established. Sensitization efforts continue in the community.
Global Compassion impact
Fortunately, no Compassion assisted children have been identified with cholera. Some church partners have provided soap and other hygiene items to families. Monitoring of beneficiaries is continuing. One Compassion staff person is a representative on the local task force.
Prayer
Please pray for the safety of our children, families and church partners in this area.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Heavy Rains and Flooding in Colombia 28 May, 2020
New information
Heavy rains and strong winds continue in the northern regions of Colombia – Barranquilla, Ciénaga, Magdalena, and Urabá.
Global Compassion impact
The churches have been supporting the affected families to meet basic needs like food, as well as spiritual and emotional care. They continue to keep in contact with the families through phone calls, due to the COVID-19 restrictions. The national office has been sending disaster funds for the relief and recovery efforts.
Prayer
Please pray for the affected children and their families in this area.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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May Flooding in Palopo, East Indonesia 27 May, 2020
The situation
Heavy rain caused the Lamasi River embankment to collapse in Pompengan Tengah Village, East Lamasi, Luwu, South Sulawesi. The Regional Disaster Agency set up tents and public kitchens for the impacted families.
Global Compassion impact
The church partners are assessing impact to children and their families.
Prayer
Please pray for the affected children and their families.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Dengue Virus in Santa Cruz, Bolivia (Crisis Update) 27 May, 2020
Since early December, there has been an outbreak of dengue fever in Santa Cruz. It was declared an epidemic on 8 January 2020. A government campaign is in place to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and fumigate high risk areas to help prevent further spread of the disease.
Global Compassion impact
Over 831 Compassion assisted children were identified with the dengue virus. All have recovered except 20 that were recently diagnosed and just began treatment. They are also expected to fully recover.
Prayer
Thank you for your prayers.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Typhoon Vongfong (Ambo) in the Philippines 27 May, 2020
The situation
Typhoon Vongfong (Ambo) made landfall in Northern Samar and Sorsogon and is moving north through the Visayas Islands, Manila, Luzon and Quezon. The typhoon was downgraded to a tropical storm. Evacuation centers were already being used for COVID-19 quarantine. So, thousands of families have been evacuated to other temporary shelters like schools. Concerns for the increased spread of the virus are making the response to the typhoon and tropical storm more difficult.
Global Compassion impact
The initial assessment indicates 26 Compassion assisted children have been affected. Fortunately, the storm did not land in the area where most of the beneficiaries live. Therefore, the impact was significantly less than expected. The affected children are now back in their homes and following the regular COVID-19 quarantine measures.
Prayer
Please pray for the affected children, families, and church partners as they recover from the typhoon damages.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Flooding in Abosto Town, Ethiopia 27 May, 2020
The situation
Heavy rain and hail caused flooding in Abosto Town, in southern Ethiopia. The flooding caused damage to at least 25 homes in the community and the loss of household items like mattresses, food, utensils, furniture and educational materials. The local disaster response is slower than usual because of the COVID-19 situation.
Global Compassion impact
Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 5
The church partner distributed food (e.g. flour, maize, Teff, spaghetti, macaroni and edible oil), as well as beds, mattresses, and other household items to the affected families using the DAP funds. They will determine whether an Individual CIV is needed to further support the families.
Prayer
Please pray for the affected children and their families as they recover from damages and losses.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Cyclone Amphan in Bangladesh 27 May, 2020
The situation
Communities in Bangladesh, particularly the coastal regions are working to recover from the impact of the cyclone and tropical storm. Damages to housing, infrastructure, fisheries, livestock, agriculture, and water resources are extensive. Power, phones and internet outages are still impacting the region, as well.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local (church) partners affected: 7 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 145
Church partners and national staff are continuing their assessment of damages to determine the best way to support affected families. They anticipate utilizing DAP (disaster reimbursable) and Individual CIV funding.
Prayer
Please pray for the affected chidlren, families and church partners as they recover from damages and losses.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?
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Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan in Sri Lanka 19 May, 2020
The situation
Adverse weather from Tropical Cyclone Amphan has caused heavy thunderstorms, high winds, flooding, trees falling, landslides, and damaged homes in many regions of Sri Lanka.
Global Compassion impact
Impact has been reported from several church partners: LK0205, LK0212, LK0213, and LK0703. Some beneficiaries’ homes were damaged. The church partners are providing dry food rations to the affected households.
Prayer
Please pray for the safety of beneficiaries, families, and church partners throughout Sri Lanka.
Where is this Crisis Report occurring?