Goal of ERU
The Emergency Response Unit (ERU) strives to respond to emergencies in a way that demonstrates God’s love, treats people with dignity and justice, focuses on the most vulnerable, values relationships, reduces risk of future disasters and lays the foundation for sustainable development.
Why we respond
Disasters intensify physical and spiritual hungers and provide opportunities for FH to respond with the love and compassion of Jesus to those who are suffering.
How we work
FH approaches emergency response in an integrated manner, intervening not only in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, but in all areas of the disaster management cycle, including:
Preparedness: Building capacity in our field offices to be able to respond quickly and effectively when a disaster occurs in their country in a way that minimizes the impact on their ongoing programming.
Disaster Risk Reduction: Strengthening our ongoing field programs to proactively integrate activities that reduce the impact of an emergency event on the communities where we work.
Response: When an event occurs that requires emergency assistance, FH responds based on the extent of the needs and the resources available to meet them.
Rehabilitation: Walking with communities during the often lengthy process of rebuilding lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure after a disaster/emergency occurs.
What we provide
Food for the Hungry’s Emergency Response Unit (ERU) responds to help meet the needs of the poor and vulnerable by providing:
1. Food and non-food item (NFI) distribution: meets basic needs in the early days of a disaster providing necessities like food, water, blankets, cooking sets, and sanitation kits.
2. Medical support: provides emergency services in the early days of a disaster as well as supporting local clinics or hospitals as they respond to the needs of their community.
3. Water/sanitation: helps communities remain healthy after a disaster by restoring access to clean drinking water and sanitation systems that may have been destroyed or interrupted.
4. Child protection: prioritizes the needs of children, who are among the most vulnerable in a disaster, by making sure they are getting enough food as well as creating “child friendly spaces”. Examples include centers where children can learn and play in a safe and structured environment after a disaster
5. Shelter: helps families whose homes have been destroyed find shelter from the elements. Examples include providing tents as temporary shelter or supporting repair or construction of new homes.
6. Psycho-social support: provides emotional and spiritual support to those who have been traumatized by suffering and loss. Examples include working through the local church and providing training on how to help children cope with loss.
7. Agricultural rehabilitation: helps farmers rebuild their capacity to provide for their family and community through seed and tool distributions and training.
8. Livelihoods: helps restore the dignity of work to families and communities who have lost their businesses. Examples include helping shopkeepers, seamstresses, mechanics or carpenters with vouchers to reestablish their livelihoods.
9. Infrastructure rehabilitation: helps communities re-establish basic infrastructure like roads, ditches and electricity that may have been destroyed in a disaster.
Give to the Emergency Response Unit.
