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Respond as a church

Humanitarian and Crisis Response

AP Photo/Pedro Mattey

Respond as a church

Humanitarian and Crisis Response

Mobilize your church to respond to urgent humanitarian crises with compassion

Today, millions of people around the world are suffering as a result of global humanitarian crises and natural disasters. We believe the church is a vital part of God’s response — bringing hope, compassion and presence in moments of deep need.

Your congregation’s support is essential to ensuring communities devastated by crises receive critical supplies, care and pathways toward recovery.

Read about the current crisis response efforts on this page, then use the church materials provided to equip your congregation to respond together through prayer, generosity and faithful, compassionate action.

Materials Include

Image to share

Email Templates

Tools for Prayer and Action

Learn how

Use the step-by-step resources in each section to respond with your church.

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Plan Your Response

Determine how your church will engage in current crisis response efforts.

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Mobilize your church to action

Materials to invite your congregation to engage humanitarian crises with biblical hope and respond with generosity.

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Update on Response Efforts

Explore stories, photos and our 3, 6 and 12 month reports that show how your church’s generosity has brought hope in crises.

Urgent Responses

Venezuela Earthquakes

AP/Photo Pedro Mattey

Venezuela Earthquakes

Natural Disaster

On June 24, two powerful 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck Venezuela. The larger tremor is the most powerful to hit the country in over a century Both earthquakes have resulted in mass casualties and widespread devastation. This disaster is a significant blow to the already fragile country and threatens to displace thousands of families from their homes and communities. World Relief is rapidly mobilizing to respond to this evolving crisis — both on the ground through partners in Venezuela and here in the U.S. as we support our Venezuelan clients impacted by this devastating event. But we cannot do it without you.

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Ebola Outbreak

AP/Photo Al-hadji Kudra Maliro

Ebola Outbreak

Global Health Emergency

A rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak has been confirmed in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, and the World Health Organization has declared it a global health emergency. With fatality rates as high as 50% and no vaccine for this strain, the threat is immediate and escalating across borders. In crises like this, prevention isn’t optional — it’s lifesaving. World Relief is already on the ground, mobilizing local leaders to spread awareness and prevention measures, as well as providing protective and isolation supplies to stop the spread. Time is of the essence. Your gift can help save lives today. Meet the urgency of the moment.

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AP/Photo Hassan Ammar

The Middle East

Escalating Crisis

After years of tension and conflict, the crisis in the Middle East has only escalated in recent months. Since early 2026, armed conflict and government upheaval has forced thousands across the Middle East to flee their homes. In Lebanon alone, more than 800,000 were forcibly displaced within one week after conflict reached new levels in early March. That number is rising every day.

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Ongoing Responses

Willie and helper

AP/Photo John Locher

United States

Public Policy

In January 2026, federal immigration agents detained dozens of lawfully present refugees in Minnesota, including children. These actions came on the heels of increasingly aggressive enforcement tactics against lawfully present immigrants across the United States. The agents, some dressed in plain clothes, lured refugees out of their homes, where they were transported to holding facilities and then, in many cases, out of the state.

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Souzan and family

Sudan

War & Invasion

On October 24, 2025, the city of El Fasher in North Darfur, Sudan, was invaded and seized. Accounts of horrific violence have since emerged, with reports describing devastating scenes of entire neighborhoods destroyed

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Daniela in new land

Photographed by Sean Sheridan, 2022 for World Relief

Ukraine

War & Invasion

In 2024, an estimated 14.6 million people will be in need of humanitarian aid due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Since the earliest days of this crisis, generous people like you have responded by welcoming Ukrainians in the United States and providing emergency assistance in Eastern Europe.

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