Our commitment to
Humanitarian aid
Working Together in Emergencies
In a world shaken by crises, conflicts, and natural disasters, it is crucial to act quickly and effectively to save the lives of children and their families. At ChildFund Germany, we are committed to protecting children in need around the world and provide humanitarian aid in the areas of nutrition, healthcare, water, education, and psychosocial support.
Our response to humanitarian crises
Humanitarian emergencies can strike any community. They are caused by natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, or droughts, but also by violent conflicts that force thousands of people—especially children—to flee their homes. In these difficult times, it is of the utmost importance to act quickly to help those in need and meet their basic needs.
We are active in the world’s most affected regions to provide rapid and unbureaucratic support in emergency situations.
Our Principles of Humanitarian Aid
Humanitarian aid is based on four core principles that are enshrined in international humanitarian law and ensure that aid is provided fairly, impartially, and effectively. We at ChildFund Germany are also committed to these principles in our work:
Humanity: Aid is provided to save lives, alleviate suffering, and preserve human dignity. The needs of the affected people come first, and all aid must be aimed at promoting their well-being.
Impartiality: Humanitarian aid must be based on the needs of those affected, without discrimination or favoritism based on nationality, ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs. Every person in need is entitled to aid.
Neutrality: Humanitarian organizations must not interfere in political, military, or religious conflicts. They must act neutrally in all contexts so as not to jeopardize access to those in need.
Independence: Humanitarian aid must be provided independently of political, economic, or military influences. This ensures that aid is provided in the interest of the affected people and not in the interest of other actors.
These principles ensure that our work is carried out in accordance with the highest standards of international humanitarian aid. They ensure that we, as ChildFund Germany, provide our aid efficiently, equitably, and in accordance with the needs of the affected communities.
About the Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct is based on the central humanitarian imperative, which emphasizes the responsibility to alleviate human suffering—not according to political, religious, or ethnic criteria, but solely based on the needs of those affected. These principles ensure that aid reaches where it is most urgently needed, regardless of the origin of the people in need.
Aid organizations intervene only when local capacities are exhausted and the affected communities are dependent on external support. In these cases, it is of the utmost importance that aid does not interfere with existing social structures. The Code of Conduct emphasizes that aid should be designed in such a way that it does not create lasting dependence on external sources.
Rather, the aim is to empower affected people to cope with the crisis on their own. This is achieved by providing resources and support that help them strengthen their own resilience and independently promote the reconstruction of their communities. The goal is to enable people to overcome their plight without becoming permanently dependent on external aid.
This approach promotes not only short-term aid but also long-term solutions that enable affected communities to shape their own future, respond to challenges, and become more resilient.
About Our Values
Like all of our work, our humanitarian aid is based on certain values:
Child-centered approach: The well-being of the child is always our top priority. We ensure that all aid measures are directly geared toward meeting the needs and protecting children.
Sustainability: We advocate for long-term solutions that help affected people lead self-determined lives even after the crisis has passed.
Partnership: We collaborate with local organizations, governments, and international actors to act quickly and effectively and achieve a lasting impact.
Transparency: We regularly report on our operations and ensure that our aid reaches where it is needed most.
Key partners
Afghanistan: Emergency Aid for Earthquake Victims
On the night of August 31, an earthquake measuring 6+ on the Richter scale and subsequent aftershocks shook eastern Afghanistan. Thousands of lives were lost, and homes and infrastructure were destroyed. The affected families urgently need food and basic relief supplies such as blankets and clothing. Emergency shelters are also needed for everyone who has lost their homes. In collaboration with our Italian partner organization WeWorld and local Afghan partners on the ground, we have supported those affected through emergency relief efforts in the districts of Nurgul, Chowkai, and Dara-e-Noor by distributing ready-to-eat meals, providing life-saving emergency care, and laying the groundwork for medium-term humanitarian aid.
Afghanistan: Emergency Aid for Earthquake Victims
Many people in Afghanistan lost everything in the powerful earthquake on October 7, 2023. Together with our partner organizations, which have been active in Afghanistan for many years, we have provided essential relief to those affected. This included distributing food, providing warm clothing and blankets, offering shelter to everyone who lost their homes, and ensuring hygiene and access to water and sanitation.
Gaza: Emergency Aid
Images of destroyed cities, thousands of people waiting at aid stations, and grieving families in Gaza have been circulating around the world for two years. Together with our ChildFund Alliance partner WeWorld, which has been active in Gaza for many years with its own offices and staff, we have provided vital emergency aid on the ground to ensure food and water supplies, provide emergency shelter, distribute daily necessities such as blankets, diapers, and clothing, and guarantee hygiene and sanitation services. We also set up temporary learning spaces to give children the opportunity to catch up on years of missed education. In addition to instruction in reading, writing, and arithmetic, targeted remedial classes were offered, and an inclusive, protective, and child-friendly environment was created. This included psychosocial support for the children to strengthen their mental health in the crisis situation and help them better process the horrors they had experienced.
Congo: Emergency Aid for Flood Victims
The severe flooding during the night of May 4–5, 2023, in the Congolese province of South Kivu has claimed many lives and left many injured. Thousands of people there were in need of assistance, and the supply of food, clean water, medicine, and tents became a matter of survival. The floodwaters swept away numerous homes, leaving many children and their families homeless.
Morocco: Emergency Aid for Earthquake Victims
The powerful earthquake that struck during the night of September 8–9, 2023, left many people without their belongings. As part of the ChildFund Alliance, we supported our Italian partner organization WeWorld and its local Moroccan partners in their current emergency relief efforts. Thanks to an established network, we were able to provide rapid and direct assistance. This included distributing food, clean drinking water, and medicine, as well as ensuring medical care for the injured and providing emergency shelter.
Turkey: Emergency Aid for Earthquake Victims
The powerful earthquake that struck Turkey in February 2023 claimed many lives and destroyed numerous buildings. We provided assistance to children and families in the disaster-stricken areas. Our relief efforts focused primarily on supplying water, warm clothing, and blankets. Together with our partner organization Terre des hommes—which, thanks to its local contacts, was able to assess the needs of those affected and provide appropriate emergency aid—we procured and distributed tents, blankets, food, clean drinking water, and medication to the people on the ground.
Syria: Emergency Aid for Earthquake Victims
The powerful earthquake that struck northern Syria on the morning of February 6, 2023, resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. Many buildings and critical infrastructure were destroyed. We supported children and families in the disaster-affected areas in collaboration with our partner organization WeWorld, which has many years of experience in Syria and a reliable local network. Thanks to existing structures, aid reached people on the ground immediately. In addition to immediate emergency relief measures, such as the distribution of non-food items in emergency shelters and direct financial assistance, damage to water infrastructure and school facilities was also assessed and repaired.
India: Emergency Aid for Those Affected by COVID-19
India was one of the countries hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The medical infrastructure was virtually paralyzed, and the healthcare system was completely overwhelmed. Prejudice and misinformation about vaccinations, along with a lack of education regarding hygiene measures, contributed to this dire situation. By strengthening health centers, vaccinating all eligible individuals, and providing other life-saving aid, we were able to help alleviate the suffering of those affected by the pandemic. We helped raise awareness about hygiene measures and supported health authorities with medical supplies and in organizing the vaccination campaign. We also distributed COVID-19 emergency aid kits and educational materials for children, as well as food baskets and financial assistance.
Emergency Aid for Those Affected by COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the entire world, and nearly every country has been affected. The situation in many of our project countries was particularly devastating. Here, the pandemic threatened to undo decades of project work. Village communities had little means to counter the spread of the virus. We have worked to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in order to protect the lives of the children and families entrusted to us. To combat the COVID-19 crisis, we have provided families with hygiene kits and informed them about how to prevent the disease.
Häufig gefragt
What does ChildFund Germany stand for, and what is the goal of its work?
Our goal is to bring about lasting improvements in the future prospects of children in need, their families, and their entire communities. Through our commitment to these children and families, we aim to make a positive difference and create lasting improvements, always guided by the principle of helping people help themselves. This enables them to exercise their rights, overcome poverty and dependency, and lead independent and self-determined lives.
How can I be sure that my donation actually reaches its destination?
The efficient use of the donations entrusted to us is our top priority. To ensure that our aid is used in a highly targeted manner, we rely on close collaboration with local partner organizations in all the countries where we operate, so that our assistance meets the specific needs on the ground. Furthermore, all our support is guided by the principle of helping people help themselves. This ensures that the people in our projects benefit from long-term and lasting changes and, in the long run, no longer depend on aid but can live independently and self-determinedly. Our transparent and responsible handling of donations is also confirmed by the DZI Donation Seal, which we have been awarded continuously since 1995 by the German Central Institute for Social Issues.
How does ChildFund Germany work?
Our work is made possible by three sources of funding: sponsorships, other donations, and public funds. Our projects funded by sponsorships are designed for the long term. They are characterized by particularly close collaboration between our partner organizations in the respective project country and the local communities.
The donation-based and publicly funded projects have a shorter duration. Due to the limited timeframe, these projects require more intensive planning and support on our part.
In all projects, ChildFund plays two specific roles: First, raising funds so that the project work can be implemented at all. And second, bringing together and building bridges between those who provide money and expertise and those who lack these resources. The goal is to maximize mutual benefit from the collaboration and to advance our projects in the most effective way possible.
What kinds of projects does ChildFund Germany carry out?
Our projects, which are funded through sponsorships, are designed for the long term. They are characterized by particularly close collaboration between our partner organizations in the respective project country and the local communities.
The donation-based and publicly funded projects have a shorter duration. Due to the limited timeframe, these projects require more intensive planning and support on our part.
What regions and issues does ChildFund Germany focus on?
We operate in various countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Our work focuses primarily on education, nutrition, livelihood support, and child protection, as well as humanitarian aid in emergency situations. Issues such as health and climate protection are also central to many of our projects.
How can I support ChildFund Germany?
There are many different ways to support our work. From a one-time donation to a regular donation as a “Future Donor” to becoming a sponsor, you are free to choose the form of support that best suits you. Long-term and particularly sustainable support can also take the form of a foundation or a bequest. We also offer a range of customized support options for businesses and schools.