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Where Most Needed

Where Most Needed

In times of immediate need, Compassion steps in to help children

Give to the current greatest need

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Poverty leaves children without any safety net or protection, so when unforeseen circumstances arise, there is often little hope for recovery.

Why giving to Where Most Needed is so important

Over 3 billion people

Over 3 billion people live on less than $2.50 a day

About 16,000 children die each day

About 16,000 Children die each day before celebrating their fifth birthday, mostly from preventable causes

  860 million people

860 million people worldwide continue to live in slums

663 million people

663 million people — one in 10 people — rely on unimproved sources of drinking water

Sources: UNICEF; UNDP; APPS

Through generous supporters, Compassion church partners work effectively to address the most pressing needs of children in our programs.

The Where Most Needed fund is used to meet a variety of needs that have been identified by our local church partners. It will bring resource and empowerment to every nation we work in.

Compassion’s Where Most Needed fund can be distributed between other Critical Needs and respond in circumstances where additional help for those funds is needed. This includes:

  • Water and Sanitation
  • Income Generation
  • Health
  • Education and Training
  • Mums and Babies
  • Infrastructure
  • Disaster Relief
  • Highly Vulnerable Children
  • Indigenous Initiative in Australia
  • Support for children waiting for a sponsor



See your latest impact through Where Most Needed

See how your generosity changed the lives of children this year.
Download our Where Most Needed Impact Report.

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Where Most Needed Stories

Feature Story
11 Apr, 2024

Blessed in Christ by Grace: David’s Story

“One day, I was reading the Bible, the book of Ephesians, and there is a verse there that says, ‘Some are called to become pastors and teachers’ [Eph. 4:11]. And the Lord spoke to me: ‘You will become like that someday.’”.. Read more

28 Oct, 2020

17 Questions Most New Sponsors Ask, Answered

What can I send to my sponsored child? Can I sponsor their sibling? Can I visit my sponsored child? Here are 17 frequently asked questions from new sponsors. .. Read more

02 Mar, 2020

Four Things You Didn't Know About Poverty

We’re used to hearing about the well-known effects of poverty—but are we missing the less-visible ones?.. Read more

FAQs

  • If I give to Critical Needs, where will my money go?

    You can choose to donate to one of nine Critical Needs areas: - Water and Sanitation - Health - Infrastructure - Mums and Babies - Disaster Relief - Education and Training - Income Generation - Highly Vulnerable Children - Where Most Needed

    Your donation goes towards addressing that area of need for children in our program globally. For example, should you give to Water and Sanitation, your donation could go towards providing water filters, water tanks or toilets in any of the over 25 countries where Compassion works. Funds are pooled so that children's most urgent needs are met first, as determined by local church partners who know each child and family in Compassion's program. You can also choose to support an entire Critical Needs project. Please contact us if you are interested in discussing this option further. 

    You can:

    • Give to Critical Needs
    • Sponsor a child
  • How does Critical Needs work with Child Sponsorship?

    Critical Needs and the Child Sponsorship Program work side-by-side to equip Compassion's local church partners with the resources to provide holistic support and long-term, customised solutions for children, their families and communities. While the Child Sponsorship Program connects one child with one sponsor, Critical Needs giving is not directed to one child, but provides essential support to thousands of Compassion registered children when they need it most. Every child will benefit from Critical Needs during their time in Compassion’s program, as sponsorship funds alone are not sufficient to cover the varied and often urgent needs of the children we support.

    You can choose to support children globally through Critical Needs or fund an entire project in a specific community. These projects are both reactive and proactive and could include water filters to provide safe water to a community, reconstruction of homes after natural disasters, or income generating activities for adolescents and children's caregivers. The right assistance is identified and provided by the local church in partnership with Compassion.

    You can:

    • Give to Critical Needs
    • Sponsor a child
  • What are the current ways of supporting Mums and Babies?

    You can support Mums and Babies in a number of ways, either with a once-only donation or ongoing support.

    Here are some of the ways you can choose to give:  

    • A once-off donation of your choice to Mums and Babies will support young families worldwide and provide emergency care for vulnerable children.

    • $12 per month, contributed to Compassion's Critical Needs alongside child sponsorship, supports Mums and Babies globally and provides emergency care for vulnerable children.

    • A $20 once-off donation for a Care for a New Mum Gift of Compassion™, which will be used where support is most needed.

    • A $40 once-off donation for a baby essentials kit through GIFTSOFCOMPASSION™ gives a mum all the necessary supplies to care for her newborn, such as blankets and soaps.

    • A $260 once-off donation for a Start of Life Bundle. This GIFTSOFCOMPASSION™ provides an expectant mum living in poverty with crucial ante and postnatal care.

    • $15,000 once-off donation through Gifts of Compassion™ will nurture a Mums and Babies survival project in a specific community and provide life-saving support to vulnerable mothers and their babies.

  • How much does it cost to support Critical Needs?

    The recommended amount to give to one Critical Need is $12 per month. However, you can give any amount of your choosing through either options of one-off or monthly giving. The giving options are flexible, so you have the freedom to support the areas you are most passionate about through Critical Needs.

    You can:

    • Give to Critical Needs
  • Can I give to Critical Needs if I do not sponsor a child?

    Yes, you can give to Critical Needs if you do not sponsor a child. Critical Needs is essential to overcoming obstacles for children living in poverty and your donation to Critical Needs will go towards helping thousands of children. Choose an area of need that you are most passionate about meeting, and then all you need to do is decide whether your donation is a once-only or a recurring gift. Thank you for your partnership to share a hope more powerful than poverty!

    You can:

    • Give to Critical Needs
    • Sponsor a child