Disaster
In a few minutes, your life can be torn apart. Winds, rain, waves or shaking can take away everything you love. Or over a few months or years, your home can become unsafe.
We walk with our neighbors through every stage of the disaster cycle. CWS programs help people prepare for the worst, making plans and gathering supplies. When an emergency happens, we team up with other responders to meet immediate needs. And when the time is right, we shift our focus to long-term recovery. When people are forced from their homes, we work hard to make sure they have safe and dignified lives.
The road to recovery and safety may be a long one, but no one should walk it alone.
When the Land turns to Liquid
A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, in September 2018. It triggered tsunamis and a phenomenon called liquefaction, when the ground literally turns to liquid. It moved entire villages, swallowed houses and destroyed infrastructure.
We immediately began to mobilize a response. Soon we were delivering water to thousands of families each day, distributing critical supplies and promoting hygiene among displaced families. As weeks turned to months, we focused on helping families build transitional shelters, build or repair water systems, and build sanitary bathrooms.
Latest Updates
Safe Homes for Families in Rwanda after Eruption and Earthquake
On May 22, 2021, Mount Nyiragongo erupted. The volcano is in the Democratic Republic of Congo, near the border with Rwanda. The eruption and resulting earthquakes caused emergencies in both countries, forcing thousands of families from their homes. CWS is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of organizations that, among other things, respond to emergencies. Our team …
Emergency Appeal: Tornado Response in Kentucky and Surrounding States
Appeal Code: 628P Situation A series of devastating tornadoes ripped through Kentucky and other states in the U.S. midwest and south earlier this month. The death toll in Kentucky is now 76, which ties the state record for storm-related deaths. Another 14 people were killed in surrounding states. The Kentucky VOAD, which stands for Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, has …
Situation Report: Tornado Response in Kentucky and Surrounding States
Appeal Code: 628P Situation Devastating tornadoes ripped through Kentucky and other states in the U.S. midwest and south this weekend. As of yesterday, the death toll stood at 74 in Kentucky with more than 100 people still missing. Six people were killed in Illinois when an Amazon distribution center collapsed. The Washington Post reports that 25,000 people in southwestern Kentucky …