Taking Action to Support Fragile Communities
Providing Disaster Relief
Many families living in the developing world face poverty, food scarcity, inadequate housing, and a lack of access to health care every single day. In the wake of a catastrophic event such as a natural disaster they are always the hardest hit. DWC’s EMERGENCY RESPONSE program is designed to provide vital support in the early days and weeks after a disaster. Lost income and food sources leave many families with few places to turn. This program allows us to take immediate action by funding relief packages of food, water, and medicine and distributing them to those who need it the most.
In the months and years following a natural disaster, where homes have been washed away, schools levelled, and businesses reduced to rubble, DWC helps communities rebuild and reclaim their lives. DWC’s Emergency Response program has entailed water projects to ensure there is access to clean water, latrines for sanitation and health, constructing houses for displaced families, or building new schools and community centers from the ground up.
Providing Worldwide Relief
Sri Lanka Flood
December 26, 2004, a 30 meter high wave struck the Sri Lankan coastline without warning, devastating hundreds of thousands of lives and livelihoods. DWC initiated a recovery and reconstruction process that included sending teams of volunteers to rebuild orphanages, homes, schools, community centers and other infrastructure that had been destoyed. This legacy and partnership continues today.
COVID Pandemic Relief
Measures to curb the global Covid-19 pandemic disrupted life for the working poor in dire ways. Strict lockdowns left daily wage earners unable to feed their families. People unable to work remotely were without any income or assistance. DWC’s Emergency Response program delivered food and supplies to families in Peru, Guatemala, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Nicaragua and Cambodia.
Nepal Earthquake
An earthquake in April, 2015 left vast parts of Katmandu, Nepal in ruins and, only 17 days later a second earthquake hit near Mount Everest, taking more lives and destroying more buildings and infrastructure. When the emergency phase ended, the situation remained dire as survivors continue to live in disarray while Nepal struggles to get back on its feet. DWC funded the emergencey distrbution of food and temporary shelter. This was followed up by volunteer teams that assisted in the reconstruction of a school that had been leveled.
Typhoon Haiyan
Typhoon Haiyan, in 2013, was one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded devestating many parts of the Philippines. DWC rebuilt rebuilt four classrooms and several houses in a remote area near Cebu that was challenging for emergency relief service to access.
Ranjith’s Family Home
The rainfall and mudslides of May 2017, were the worst in recorded history for Sri Lanka. According to reports, this flood killed nearly 200 people and displaced or negatively affected half a million people.
Along with other parts of southern Sri Lanka, the area around Tangalle was badly hit. Residents were dealing with loss of loved ones, personal injury, contaminated water and destruction of their homes. Many livelihoods were threatened by damaged equipment and the impact of flooding on the fields. In most cases, these families had no savings to recover from the loss.
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