“The only thing that really matters to me now is my children,” says Halima. She has three children—a 12-year-old girl and two boys, ages 11 and 3. “I thank God for them; they are bright and courageous.” Halima and her children live in a tent shelter in Lebanon with her mother, father, and grandmother. Like many families, they were forced to flee their home due to violence and instability.

“Life was good before everything changed; we lived peacefully,” says Halima. Losing her home and sense of security was devastating. “Although our situation is very difficult, at least we found safety and some emotional relief. Before, I could not sleep because of fear and everything we witnessed.”

Before COVID-19 lock-downs, Halima and her mother Aida worked in agricultural fields when work was available to help support the family. When movement restrictions began, this fragile source of income disappeared overnight. “We first heard about the spread of the coronavirus through neighbours. Then the municipality told us we were forbidden to leave the tent or have visitors,” says Aida. She and Halima take turns going out only when necessary to buy food. Aida’s husband is especially vulnerable because he has diabetes. “We are barely able to buy bread, and if we want to buy tomatoes, we can only afford half a kilo,” she says.

How Emergency Response Builds Hope and Resilience

Long before the global pandemic, food insecurity was already affecting millions of families worldwide. Conflict, climate change, economic instability, and public health emergencies have combined to push vulnerable communities deeper into crisis. When disasters strike, families with few resources are hit the hardest—and recovery becomes even more difficult without outside support.

Around the world, families struggle to access enough nutritious food for several key reasons:

• Reduced household income
• Disrupted food supply and distribution
• Limited support for vulnerable populations
• Political instability
• Conflict and displacement

For families like Halima’s, these challenges overlap and compound one another. Sudden crises can erase what little stability they have, leaving them unable to meet even their most basic needs.

But there is hope.

Through World Renew’s International Disaster Response (IDR) program, families receive emergency food and essential supplies when disaster strikes. Just as importantly, IDR helps communities prepare for future crises—so they are more resilient, less vulnerable, and better equipped to recover.

World Renew partners with trusted local organizations to ensure aid reaches those who need it most. Through this support, Halima’s family receives regular food assistance and basic necessities. “It felt unfamiliar at first, but the people were kind and welcoming,” Halima shares. “I felt cared for.”

By supporting World Renew’s IDR program, you help ensure that when the next disaster comes—whether conflict, climate-related emergencies, or health crises—families like Halima’s are not left alone.

Your gift helps bring food today, strength for tomorrow, and hope for the future.