Protecting Children in a Time of Crisis - Annual Report 2008

The financial crisis of 2008 that rocked world markets also undermined the economic stability of millions of families who now struggle to care for their children. In this volatile economic climate, Save the Children continued to deliver lifesaving health, education and protection to some 48 million children, directly and indirectly, in more than 50 countries around the world, including the United States.

By all political, economic and environmental measures, 2008 was not a good year for children. First, global shortages of food and higher prices drastically reduced children's access to health care, nutrition and education which they need to thrive. Second, the number and severity of natural disasters rose in 2008. With violent cyclones in Bangladesh and Myanmar, China's devastating earthquake, flooding in Mozambique, drought in Ethiopia, and back-to-back hurricanes in the Caribbean and the United States, we have had no let-up in emergency response.