Save the Children Stands Ready to Help Florida Kids and Families Threatened by Powerful Hurricane Milton

Global humanitarian organization equipped to help deliver essential emergency supplies, support child care recovery and provide mental health supports

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Oct. 8, 2024) — As Hurricane Milton churns toward Florida’s west coast, bringing with it life-threatening winds, storm surge and flash flooding, Save the Children is preparing to help children and families hardest hit by the powerful storm.

With emergency supplies pre-positioned ahead of Hurricane Milton, Save the Children is equipped to help deliver critical, child-focused supplies to Florida kids and families who need them most– including diapers, wipes, hygiene kits and more.

In addition, the global humanitarian organization stands ready to help restore child care and early learning centers damaged by the storm. Save the Children’s psychosocial team is also equipped to aid long-term recovery efforts by supporting the mental health needs of children and caregivers.  

“Children are always among the most vulnerable when disaster strikes, and our thoughts and hearts go out to kids and families in the pathway of this dangerous storm,” said David Niersbach, head of Save the Children’s emergency response and recovery team. “Save the Children is prepared to meet kids’ immediate and long-term recovery needs in the wake of Hurricane Milton, including helping them return to learning and getting the mental health supports to cope and heal.”

To speed up and strengthen child care supports after hurricanes and emergencies, Save the Children established the Gulf Coast Resilience Network – a partnership of child care networks in five hurricane prone states, including Florida. Network supports provided by Save the Children include child care emergency preparedness training, mental health supports for children and parents, and guidance and training to quicken child care center access to federal disaster aid funding.

Save the Children has been supporting children’s most critical needs after U.S. hurricanes and emergencies since 2005, including Hurricanes Irma, Michael, Ian, Idalia, Debby, Beryl and Helene in Florida.

By contributing to the Children's Emergency Fund, you can help Save the Children protect kids in the United States when disasters like Hurricane Milton strikes. To learn more about Save the Children, please go to www.SavetheChildren.org.