Disasters
PROVIDING RELIEF IN THE UNEXPECTED
When natural disasters hit, devastation follows closely behind. What can we do better?
$313 billion
—the total global economic loss due to natural disasters events worldwide in 2022.
Floods and earthquakes stole the lives of thousands of people in 2022 alone. Bureaucracy often makes government aid ineffective and cumbersome. And, more nimble and dynamic nonprofit organizations and businesses are often better positioned to respond quickly when disasters strike.
Before disasters strike, there is work governments and nonprofits can be doing to improve preparation and response plans. Effective planning can reduce risk and establish trust among the right organizations to accelerate disaster response. We can’t always predict when tragedies like this will strike, but we can improve how we prepare for and respond in a proactive way.
How can the Church support better disaster preparation? And, how can we respond to disasters even more forcefully?
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” Psalm 46:1-3
For over 50 years, Samaritan’s Purse has followed God's call to help victims of war, natural disasters, disease, and famine around the world.
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World-class content to give you ideas and get you pumped about what God’s doing through His Church.
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Why FEMA Aid Is Unavailable To Many Who Need It The Most
“The poorest renters were 23% less likely than higher-income renters to get housing help.” And, the amount of help they receive is about half as much as wealthy disaster survivors.
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Humanitarian Disasters Are Worse than Ever. One Research Institute Is There to Help the Church Prepare.
Housed at Wheaton College, the HDI graduate program is one-of-a-kind, dedicated to supporting Christian humanitarian disaster relief professionals and organizations grow in their expertise and collaboration.
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Why the U.S. Foreign Aid and Disaster Relief Process is Broken
Among notable failures of disaster relief was a $40 million prison built in Iraq that never held a prisoner. In short, bureaucracy and rapid response are often mutually exclusive.
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How to Give Effectively in Times of Crisis (and Beyond)
This article from the National Christian Foundation will help you learn about the phases of crisis relief and how your compassionate response can also be a strategic one.
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Below you’ll find some of the best-in-class organizations that are working to renew the imagination. These organizations are trustworthy, effective and innovative. In a world full of choices, we want to make the complex accessible. So, we invite you to explore them and consider giving and investing. Or you might consider building your own venture.
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How do you save a life before destruction strikes...
With disaster risk reduction. World Relief responds rapidly to disasters, providing immediate disaster relief. But they also know there is an opportunity to reduce suffering by taking a proactive approach to disasters. How? By training and mobilizing churches and community members to share disaster preparedness messages with neighbors so that when disasters do strike, devastation is significantly reduced.
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How do you maximize response time to natural disasters...
With some strategic preparedness. Samaritan's Purse pre-positions supplies in warehouses strategically located around the world so they can quickly respond to crises. When disaster strikes they deploy Disaster Assistance Response Teams comprised of experienced professionals trained in meeting the needs of disaster victims.
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What type of natural disaster causes the most fatalities...
Earthquakes. And low-income regions are disproportionately affected. But Convoy of Hope is among the first to respond to any disaster. Highly regarded for scalable and effective distribution Convoy is committed to being a positive force during crises.
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Who's ready to respond within 24 hours of a disaster...
Medair. They bring life-saving relief to communities who need help by employing experts in health and nutrition; shelter and infrastructure; water, sanitation, and hygiene. They provide cash assistance that enables families to meet their basic needs quickly during crises.
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What's the first faith-based academic disaster research center in the country...
The Human Disaster Institute at Wheaton College. Their pioneering research has helped tens of thousands of people live more faithfully and resiliently worldwide by translating scientific advances into training, tools, resources, and interventions for equipping the church to prepare and care in a disaster-filled world.
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TrustBridge Giving Space
Keep discovering vetted opportunities at TrustBridge Giving Space, which helps donors send money to charities around the world.
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What if a lotion could prevent the 200M malaria cases in Africa...
That "solotion" is here. Livful's Anti-Mosquito lotion, Akiva, is the next generation of repellants. Its unique patented controlled release technology enables it to offer long hours of protection while being gentle for the skin and safe for everyone. Livful align resources to discover, develop, and distribute transformative health solutions through business models that holistically improve lives.
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How can investing in multi-family housing serve refugees and deliver a better financial return...
Launch Capital is proving it's possible. Expelled from their homes by violence and political repression, refugees from around the world are relocating to the US only to find a housing market in crisis. Many are being forced to live in motels, Airbnbs, and people’s basements. This isn’t sustainable. Launch Capital is investing in multifamily real estate, fighting traditional models that mischaracterize refugees and immigrants as “risky” tenants and welcoming them as the stable, reliable members of their communities that the evidence shows they can be.
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Is it possible to get a good night's sleep in the great outdoors...
Yes—with Kammok. From memory foam toppers and pillows, to 3-second deployable car-awnings, Kammok designs durable, sustainable outdoor gear to help families and friends experience the transformative power of nature. For every Kammok Roo, Dragon Fly, and Glider sold, 5 children in Africa receive life-saving medication and malaria prevention. Kammok also donates 1% of its revenue to its nonprofit partner Explore Austin, which empowers disadvantaged youth.
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What's like Shark Tank for faith-driven entrepreneurs without being cutthroat...
The Faith Driven Investor Marketplace. This platform is a free tool for accredited, faith-driven investors looking to put capital to work. Funds and deals that go on the platform are at the discretion of a group of faith-driven investors with experience ranging across all different asset classes. Whether a multi-million dollar real estate venture or a small business, concessionary capital or a high financial return profile, Marketplace connects investors and entrepreneurs.
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What if Christian entrepreneurs didn't have to be alone...
Now, they don't have to be. Faith Driven Entrepreneur helps Christ-following entrepreneurs find their community and fulfill their God-given call to create. They do this by providing inspiring content and sparking meaningful connections between like-minded entrepreneurs and investors.
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What's wrong with doing things right...
It’s not enough. The ethical way says, “I win, you win.” But the redemptive way says, “I sacrifice, we win.” To this end, Praxis is a venture-building ecosystem advancing redemptive entrepreneurship. They support founders, funders, and innovators motivated by their faith to address the major issues of our time.
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What is limiting to a leader's potential...
Isolation. Faith-driven, results-minded CEOs and executives meet in C12 Business Forums monthly to encourage and challenge one another. These groups of peers work together to make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and create solid plans for business growth, all while striving to create eternal impact far beyond the bottom line.
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What happened to the family macademia nut business...
Sinapis' business training turned this business on the brink of failure into a source of livelihood for Kenyan workers. Sinapis provides training, ongoing opportunities ,vibrant community, and faith-based principles to Christian entrepreneurs in Africa, Asia, and Central America. Its alumni report an average increase of 138% in revenue 1 year after graduation.
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What percent of startups fail...
90%. One out of 10 startups fail within the first year. And most of them fail due to avoidable mistakes. Founders navigating potential pitfalls on their own is hard, though. OCEAN is a training community for entrepreneurs that integrates practical business skills with biblical wisdom so that entrepreneurs can start and lead a sustainable business without the pressure of figuring it out alone.
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What if you had to leave your kids for 2,555 nights...
This is the reality for many Filipinos who leave to their families to build a brighter future for their kids. What if they didn’t have to? Dream Bigger Ventures empowers Filipino Founders to grow as leaders who will have the character, community, and competency to solve seemingly impossible problems with sustainable ventures.
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What does "ziwani" mean in Swahili...
"At the lake." In the same vein, the nonprofit Ziwani represents a place of refreshment, community, and commerce for Christian business leaders in Africa. It equips and partners with the Christian business community so that they can meaningfully and practically live out their marketplace calling on the African continent.
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What continent has the world's youngest and fastest-growing workforce...
Africa. Future Africa is working to increase the continent’s 3% contribution to global GDP by investing in global businesses that will lead the digital economy. They've raised 2 unicorns, have 6 exits, deployed $10M+ in 106 portfolio companies and $1B+ in follow-on capital.
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