Disaster Response and 
Recovery in the U.S.

Save the Children's Disaster Response and Long-Term Recovery Programs

Disasters are scary and disruptive for kids – they take children away from their homes, their schools, their friends, and can have lasting consequences. That’s why Save the Children's teams are working year-round to equip educational organizations and childcare programs with the information they need to prepare for disasters.

By pre-positioning supplies, we get critical family supplies – like diapers and wipes, cribs, strollers, infant washbasins and hygiene kits – into the hands of moms and dads who need them most after disaster strikes. We also prepare childcare centers and early education providers so that when a disaster hits, we can quickly direct funds and supplies those in need.

We work to make sure kids can get back to school as soon as possible to mitigate learning loss following a disaster. Our Education in Emergencies team does this by distributing emergency cash assistance, providing supplies and learning materials to local partners for distribution, providing training to childcare professionals and advocating for resiliency.

Our Save the Children-designed social and emotional programs, Journey of Hope and Bridges, help children understand and cope with the stress, fear, loss and trauma that can come in the wake of a disaster. We also work to provide caregivers with training and resources that increase their capacity to support children following a disaster.

Disasters are unique to each community. Save the Children works with a large network of trusted local partners to respond to the needs of children and families as well as strengthen communities' resiliency to future disasters. Our work with both state and community partners helps to ensure that disaster responses are locally driven, culturally appropriate and best meet the needs of children and families.