World Vision frequently responds to emergencies caused by natural disasters. Natural disasters happen everywhere, and they have no bias towards the rich or the poor. But when poor communities get hit, they get hit harder, and they stay down longer.

Judging from the newspapers and TV, you could be forgiven for assuming that floods, droughts, earthquakes, hurricanes and fires mostly happen in poor countries. Of course, it's not true, but poorer communities are more vulnerable, because they have less resources to draw on to plan for, and to recover from, disaster.

For richer communities, effective planning processes and emergency services mean that the worst of the trauma can be avoided. Fire brigades, ambulances, doctors, hospitals and generous government responses - these are things some can take for granted; in poorer communities, they're luxuries that often can't be afforded.

Population pressures often mean large numbers of people are forced to live in unplanned communities with little or no infrastructure. Many are in risk-prone areas, like earthquake zones and floodplains. Because they can’t afford proper building materials, their houses are often structurally unsound, or outright unsafe.

Rebuilding may be so difficult that the community is even more vulnerable if another disaster occurs. Many have no money or assets left to start over or resettle in safer areas, and their governments are in no position to offer loans or grants.

In these kinds of communities, droughts can lead to food shortages. Floods can cause disease. Earthquakes and hurricanes result in homelessness.

Being prepared and having strategies in place to assist as soon as possible after a disaster strikes is just one way World Vision can help people most in need.