Center for Disaster Philanthropy

06/24/2026

The past year brought a continuation to the increase of devastating disasters, ongoing humanitarian crises and growing uncertainty about the systems communities rely on for support.

But it also revealed something powerful: resilience.

Communities around the world continued to come together, support one another and rebuild in the face of immense challenges.

Today, we're sharing our 2025 Annual Impact Report—a reflection on the disasters that shaped the year, the lessons we learned and the collective effort required to support long-term recovery.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in helping communities recover, rebuild and prepare for what comes next.

Read the report: https://disasterphilanthropy.org/about/financials-annual-reports/2025-annual-impact-report/

06/23/2026

What we're watching: Tropical Storm Arthur came ashore in Texas and was quickly downgraded. However, the storm caused catastrophic flooding from Texas to the Carolinas. Also, an earthquake hit Indonesia and wildfires strike Washington State.
Full report: https://bit.ly/43NHHod

The June 22 weekly disaster update covers Tropical Storm Arthur, wildfires in Washington Sate, and the complex humanitarian emergency in Chad.

06/22/2026

"The COVID-19 pandemic changed how many of us understand the threat of disease outbreaks. But as a humanitarian, I also remember the fear and urgency of the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak: the enhanced airport screenings, the three-week monitoring of returning aid workers, and the U.S. government standing up a whole-of-government response.

"After the West Africa Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic, one might expect the world to be better prepared for the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. Instead, this crisis is unfolding within a vulnerable ecosystem of health care, humanitarian response, disease surveillance, community trust and global financing."

Our President and CEO, Patricia McIlreavy, shares her thoughts on the current global aid shifts and what philanthropy can do to face current challenges: https://bit.ly/4dPVuiH

06/21/2026

Imagine having to leave everything behind—not knowing when or if you'll return home.

For millions of refugees and internally displaced people around the world, that uncertainty is a daily reality.

This World Refugee Day, we honor the resilience of people who have been forced from their homes by conflict, violence, persecution and disasters. Behind every statistic is a person rebuilding their life, caring for their family and searching for safety and stability.

Recovery doesn't end when the emergency passes. It requires long-term support, investment and community-centered solutions that help people regain a sense of security and hope.

Learn more about the challenges facing refugees and internally displaced people and what philanthropy can do to help: https://disasterphilanthropy.org/cdp-resource/refugees-and-internally-displaced-persons/

Refugees are people who have been forced to flee their home countries because of persecution, war or violence.

06/20/2026

Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh is home to more than 1 million Rohingya refugees. For many, access to safe maternal and newborn health care is extremely difficult. Families in overcrowded camps often face poverty, malnutrition, trauma and poor sanitation, and they must travel long distances to reach quality health care. Delays or lack of emergency care especially endanger pregnant women and newborns, making them vulnerable to preventable illness and death.

Hope Foundation is there to help, ensuring women and children receive compassionate, life-saving care with dignity. Hope Field Hospital stands as one of the few facilities in the region providing emergency obstetric and neonatal services and rapid treatment for life-threatening complications affecting mothers and newborns. At the hospital, staff also provide essential antenatal and postnatal care, family planning counseling, screening and management of high-risk pregnancies, and maternal mental health support.

To help sustain these crucial services, CDP recently awarded a grant to Hope Foundation to expand community-based health education, strengthen maternal and reproductive health care services, and increase access to life-saving emergency obstetric and neonatal care at Hope Field Hospital. As we mark , we are proud to support Hope Foundation’s efforts to help refugee families. Every day, the impact of this work is seen in mothers safely returning home with healthy babies in their arms—outcomes made possible by timely emergency care.

Check out our latest blog post to learn more about how we’re supporting locally led organizations meeting health care needs in humanitarian crises: https://disasterphilanthropy.org/blog/cdp-grants-support-critical-health-care-needs-in-low-attention-crises/

📸 courtesy of Hope Foundation For Women and Children of Bangladesh

06/19/2026

“Every moment has reminded me how important compassion and community are during difficult times.”

For JR, a volunteer with Love Without Walls, recovery wasn't just about rebuilding after a tornado. It was about showing up for neighbors, offering encouragement, and helping ensure no one was left behind.

When an EF-3 tornado devastated Monroe County, Mississippi, in 2023, the historically Black community of Ward 2 in Amory faced a long road to recovery. Through support from CDP's Tornado Recovery Fund, Love Without Walls helped more than 2,500 people access the resources, guidance and support needed to begin rebuilding their lives.

From case management and financial education to hot meals, household supplies and emotional support, their work demonstrated a simple but powerful truth: recovery happens when communities lead.

As we recognize Juneteenth, we're reminded that resilience, dignity and opportunity are built when communities have the resources and trust to shape their own future. Love Without Walls embodies that vision every day—meeting survivors where they are and walking alongside them for the long haul.

Read their story and learn how community-rooted recovery creates lasting impact: https://disasterphilanthropy.org/stories/the-transformative-power-of-love-empathy-and-solidarity-in-amory-mississippi/

06/18/2026

Today at 1 p.m.: Our webinar on the Ebola outbreak will examine how funders can support a locally led response.

The webinar will feature a discussion with representatives of organizations working within affected communities, highlighting how they are responding, which interventions are most urgently needed, and how philanthropy can deploy funding rapidly and strategically.

Last chance to register: https://bit.ly/3ROxjtw

06/17/2026

We’re sharing that our President and CEO, Patty McIlreavy, will begin a planned sabbatical on June 22 and return on Oct. 26.

This intentional pause, approved by CDP’s Board of Directors, reflects the strength and maturity of our organization and creates space for long-term reflection and strategic thinking at a pivotal moment for the humanitarian and philanthropic sectors.

During this time, Brenda Camacho will serve as Acting CEO while continuing in her role as Chief Operating Officer, supported by CDP’s experienced leadership team.

Our mission remains unchanged: helping philanthropy respond thoughtfully, strategically and equitably to communities affected by disaster. We’re grateful for Patty’s leadership, Brenda’s stewardship and the continued trust of our staff, donors, grantee partners and community.

Read what this time means to Patty:

Announcing CDP's President and CEO, Patty McIlreavy, planned sabbatical and reflections on this critical moment for disaster philanthropy.

06/15/2026

This Thursday, we are hosting a webinar on the Ebola outbreak that will examine how funders can support a locally led response.

The webinar will feature a discussion with representatives of organizations working within affected communities, highlighting how they are responding, which interventions are most urgently needed, and how philanthropy can deploy funding rapidly and strategically.

Register now: https://bit.ly/3ROxjtw

06/14/2026

The severe humanitarian crisis in Nigeria is driven by conflict, displacement and climate shocks, with 5.9 million people in need of assistance and millions more affected by widespread food insecurity, malnutrition and protection risks, particularly in the northeast.

Economic pressure as well as escalating violence by non-state armed groups has displaced millions and pushed up to 35 million people toward crisis-level hunger in 2026.

Learn more about this complex humanitarian emergency in our disaster update:

The June 8 weekly disaster update covers an earthquake in the Phillippines, extreme heat in Pakistan, and the complex humanitarian emergency in Nigeria.