Emergencies and disasters

After the devastating flood of 2000, CAFOD helped villagers in Mozambique rebuild their homes [Simon Rawles]

Natural disasters include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, drought, hurricanes and cyclones, but emergencies are also caused by conflict and political crises

Emergencies occur following or during a disaster, when lives and livelihoods are threatened. It is often the poorest who suffer most, and CAFOD responds on the basis of advice from partners on the ground.

If the need is great and CAFOD can help, we can raise money and draw on emergency funds to pay for this assistance.

In partnership

Often, the relief effort is in conjunction with other agencies, especially through the Caritas network and Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), providing blankets, food and hygiene packs, seeds and tools, shelter materials and clean water.

Where necessary, CAFOD remains in the community once the disaster has subsided to help it recover - called reconstruction or rehabilitation. This can take months or even years.

Emergency preparedness plans enable partners to be alert to impending disasters where possible, and therefore have the necessary resources ready should disaster strike. This saves valuable time and lives.

Emergencies rooted in political crises are increasingly common. Conflict can trigger refugee crises and the need for large-scale humanitarian aid.

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