Children Affected by Disasters

112 million people were affected by natural disasters in 2022 - some as a result of climate change and global warming(Source："应急管理部发布2022年全国自然灾害基本情况" [2023-01-13]。Ministry of Emergency Management of the People's Republic of China).

Natural disaster destroys lives at a blink of an eye. It brings suffering, pain and severe strain and trauma to adults and children. To help children recover, appropriate psychological support is crucial for healthy child development. When responding to a disaster, World Vision does not only provide immediate material aid, but also prioritizes the mental and emotional well-being of children.

After the Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008, the government and expert groups began to realize the importance of post-disaster psychological support. Beginning in 2010, World Vision worked with the Institute of Psychology, China Academy of Sciences to provide psychological support for earthquake disasters in Yushu (Qinghai), Yingjiang and Yiliang (Yunnan), Minxian (Gansu) and Lushan (Sichuan), as well as the mudslide disaster in Zhouqu (Gansu). The support provided aim to help those affected cope or relieve the emotional stress they faced. 

In April 2015, World Vision worked with the Institute of Psychology to co-organize the first forum about child protection in disasters. In April 2016, we collaborated with Chinese Academy of Sciences again to co-organize a forum about psychological support held in Beijing. During this forum, the Chinese version of the “Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action” was launched, encouraging relief and humanitarian agencies in China to integrate child protection into emergency responses. The translation of “Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action” was a joint effort between World Vision China and other organizations.

Visit our Relief & Rehabilitation page to learn more about the disasters World Vision China has responded to in the past few years.