CARE offers timely assistance to disaster-affected communities, providing the support they need to prepare for and survive emergencies, rebuild their lives and overcome poverty in the long term.
War and natural disasters are hardest on poor communities, but within those communities, women, children and the elderly are the most vulnerable. When CARE responds to a crisis, we account for the needs of women, such as reproductive health care and private sanitation facilities. These needs are also considered as we help communities learn about the risks they face and how to minimize the impact of future emergencies. We strive to ensure that children displaced by disaster can continue their schooling, and we seek ways to involve all community members in decisions about rebuilding their homes and livelihoods.
Case in Point: Ibu Ramlah
Daughters in tow, Ibu Ramlah ran from her home to the nearby mosque on December 26, 2004, when the tsunami came ashore in Indonesia. Ramlah's family survived the disaster, but when they made it to a camp where CARE was assisting survivors, Ramlah discovered that her 2-year-old daughter was suffering from malnutrition. CARE provided high-energy milk and monitored the little girl's progress. "She could not walk before, for she was too weak," recounts Ramlah. "She was 7.3 kg before, and now she is 7.9. Now she can walk." Ramlah's family also receives a solution to purify their water for drinking and cooking.
