More children are hungry, facing early marriage or being forced into child labour than they were a decade ago, says World Vision International CEO Andrew Morley.
Speaking to Malaysian church leaders in July, Morley revealed that since the pandemic, there has been increased need everywhere, including in developed countries.
“The world is getting tougher for children everywhere… the pandemic affected all of us, but for children in vulnerable contexts, the impact has been disproportionate,” he said.
Morley was in Malaysia visiting the local World Vision team and at the luncheon, thanked them for their support and prayers.
An information-hungry generation, but no less willing to give
“One of our biggest challenges today is the increased need for the most basic necessities. Contributions have increased, but not at the same rate as the needs,” he said in an interview after the event.
When Morley joined World Vision nine years ago, there were three Category 3 (most severe crises, where societies cannot respond and recover without large-scale external assistance) responses.
“Today, there more than 32 Category 3 responses that we’re a part of,” he said.
The cost of humanitarian responses has also gone up, with security and logistics requiring more funds than before.
On a positive note, he said that today’s donors show a heightened interest in global issues, unlike previous generations.
“They’re caring and not less willing to give, but they want to know how the money’s being used, where it’s going, what’s the impact on the ground. They aren’t just going to give money and step away,” he said.
Pray for the work and talk about the needs
Morley, who is also a curate with Holy Trinity Brompton, asked local churches and believers to partner in the form of prayer and advocacy.
“First, please pray for us. We’re in difficult contexts where it’s really dangerous. It is not easy being a Christian ministry in many places, so pray for protection and favour,” he appealed.
The second step, he went on to say, is to be informed about the needs around the world and talk about them.
“What we’re looking for is for people to be informed and to pray, to be interested because interest will result in action,” he said.
An international Christian humanitarian organisation, World Vision is present in 100 nations and works in community development, advocacy and disaster relief.
“Everything we do is motivated by our faith, but our first priority is to ensure people have what they need to stay alive: food, water, shelter.
In Romans 15:13, we read that we have a God of hope who fills us with all joy so that we will overflow with hope in the power of the Holy Spirit. We need to share this hope,” he finished by saying.
To learn more about World Vision and how you can support the organisation, click here.
Photos provided by World Vision Malaysia.
