1.5
times more natural disasters declared in 2010 - 2019 than 1990 - 1999
Disaster Response & Risk Reduction
We convened organizations and governments to maximize rescue efforts in Southeast Asia.
IFAW's Disaster Response Grants offer both physical and financial support during moments of crisis - when animals and people need us the most.
Disasters are getting more disastrous.
With habitats disappearing, animals have fewer places to run to in disasters. But our team is at the ready to help them. With an emphasis on preparedness, our work starts before disaster strikes. With strong planning, we can help communities keep their livestock and local wildlife safer during emergencies. When disaster strikes, we’re ready to respond.
217
million people - and some estimate likely billions of animals - have been affected by natural disasters every year since 1990
Today, there are more extreme weather events and more human-caused accidents than ever before. Magnitude and frequency have increased at a rate no one could have anticipated—not even the animals.
A rescue worker feeds a horse in the destruction left after the Camp Fire in Butte County, California. The fire was deadliest and most destructive fire in California history. Photo: Scott Anger/IFAW
Risk Preparedness
When disasters occur, animals need people, and people need help. From earthquakes to volcanic eruptions—before, during, and after—IFAW is there. We help local communities plan for the worst. And when the worst happens, we deploy trained, properly equipped rescuers to help animals in distress.
The worst earthquakes are over in minutes. The worst storms, in days. We’re ready before they begin. Working with governments and local organisations, we can ensure that disaster plans include caring for community animals and wildlife. We also train responders and partners in every aspect of disaster preparedness and technical response, from Animal Search and Rescue (ASAR) to temporary sheltering and emergency medical care. Being prepared means reducing the risk to animals in disasters and responding rapidly once it’s safe to do so.
Pets are rescued by IFAW in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, which caused severe damage in the Carolinas in September 2018. Photo: IFAW
On the Ground Response
We act where we are needed most and where we can provide the greatest impact to animals. So, we’ve developed Animal Rescue Networks (ARNs) in strategic locations around the world so we can respond rapidly when disaster strikes. Our ARNs connect thousands of animal welfare and animal control professionals, veterinarians and volunteers at both the national and local level.
Photo: IFAW
Post-Disaster Recovery
Disaster response is some of our most dangerous work, and the work doesn’t end after the rescue. Together with local communities, we explore ways to make people and animals more prepared for the next disaster. Often, our greatest impact comes from evaluating a community’s vulnerability to threats. We then work with communities to address those threats through strategic planning and capacity building at a local level. This brings us back to risk preparedness. It’s a cycle, and the more we learn, the safer we become.
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Read moresupport during moments of crisis
when animals need us most.
IFAW’s Disaster Response and Preparedness grants are made possible through the generous support from The Walt Disney Company and IFAW supporters around the world.
apply for a disaster grant