Approximately 339 million people around the world need life-saving humanitarian assistance, the highest figure in decades.
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Of the 339 million people around the world who need life-saving humanitarian assistance, most are caught in protracted, complex emergencies, including political crises, social unrest, and violent conflict that has caused significant hunger, displacement, and destruction. Others are displaced by natural disasters like earthquakes and floods.
Included within U.S. foreign assistance is the International Disaster Assistance (IDA) account, which provides critical humanitarian assistance in response to natural disasters, conflicts, and other emergencies around the world. This funding provides children and families in need with emergency food, water, shelter, health care, psychosocial support, and complementary activities that support relief, recovery, and resilience.
In short, it helps countries prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises, providing for the most vulnerable's immediate needs and supplying resources to build resilience for future emergencies.
One in four of the world’s children lives in a conflict or disaster zone. These children deserve care and protection. And in the wake of COVID-19’s economic and development impacts, the challenge of providing assistance to children in these fragile contexts has only increased.
Act today: Ask Congress to include $4.85 billion for the International Disaster Assistance account within the U.S. foreign assistance budget for 2025.
Read more about the International Disaster Assistance account.
(Last Updated 6/27/24)