Q: What is War Child USA?
War Child USA is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to create a world in which no child knows war. We do this both by supporting children and their families impacted by conflict, and working to build sustainable peace for generations to come. Together with War Child Canada and local partner organizations, War Child USA supports programs in Afghanistan, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda.
Q: What makes War Child USA different?
War Child USA invests in long-term solutions that treat the causes of poverty and violence-not the symptoms. While many organizations focus on short-term needs in conflict and post-conflict contexts such as food, water, shelter and vaccinations, War Child’s programs address the fundamental structural deficits, focusing on three main pillars: education, justice, and opportunities.
We work toward community-led solutions that make it possible for survivors of war to rebuild their communities and create an environment in which childhood can thrive.
We do not believe that the answer to helping women and children in the midst of war is one thing. It is many things. If schools are damaged or inadequate, we may help to rebuild them, not just creating facilities that communities cannot maintain and that are disconnected from the local system. We aim to ensure that the infrastructure that exists is safe for learning. Sometimes that means fixing and refurbishing local classrooms, training teachers and teaching assistants, using make-shift shelters like tents if something permanent isn’t feasible, and then running catch-up learning programs so kids who have been out of school can rejoin and be successful. We running these kinds of programs in places like Uganda, Yemen, and Congo, but sometimes, the needs are different. Where the risk of famine is very high, we have seen aid dollars dry up as well as international food aid distributions. This is why in South Sudan, we are training female farmers, helping them maximize their crop yields, which also helps them earn and control their own income.
“What we do” is as complex as the challenges our world faces. We help children and their communities recover from war. We disrupt the cycle. And we do it in a way that promotes sustainability by making those families more self-reliant; that builds upon what exists. Food, water, shelter, or tents can be taken away. But education, hard skills, the capacity to keep earning – none of those things, once acquired, can be lost to war. Those are forever. That’s what we do and why we do it. And it isn’t hopeless.
Q: What is War Child USA’s relationship to War Child Canada?
War Child USA Inc. is an independent New York not-for-profit corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. War Child USA is affiliated with and provides financial support to similarly named charitable organizations in Canada (War Child Canada), Holland (War Child Holland) and the United Kingdom (War Child UK). Though independent entities, each organization is devoted to protecting children and their families in conflict zones by raising awareness about the impact of war on local communities.
While War Child USA regularly provides financial support to War Child Canada in the form of grants, please note that donations to War Child USA may not be earmarked for use by War Child Canada, or any other foreign organization. Further, U.S. taxpayers may only deduct contributions to the U.S. foundation for U.S. income tax purposes. If you have any questions regarding your donation, please contact us at info@warchildusa.org.
Q: Where does War Child USA get its funding?
War Child is proud to have earned the trust of its donors through responsible,
transparent, and effective management of the funds invested with us. Contributions come from private individuals, foundations, and corporations, as well as across arts and entertainment.
We are proud to receive support from reputable international organizations like UNICEF and UNHCR, Global Affairs Canada, European Commission, USAID, US Department of State, UN Women, UNDP, Mastercard Foundation, Wellspring Foundation, the World Food Program and many foundations and private donors.
Q: Who is behind War Child USA?
War Child USA was founded by Dr. Samantha Nutt, a medical doctor, best-selling author and award-winning humanitarian. Samantha is a leading authority on women and children in war zones across the globe. She brings critical, evidence-based thinking to humanitarian action—empowering each local community to lead their own recovery. Her TED Talk ‘The Real Harm of the Global Arms Trade,’ with more than 1 million views, lays out a common sense approach for mitigating the civilian impact of war. Her book, ‘Damned Nations: Greed, Guns, Armies and Aid’ is a national best seller.
> Get to know Dr. Samantha Nutt (videos, book, interview)
Q: How can I help?
The first step in creating change is staying informed. Join our community: sign up for our email list and follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram to stay up to speed on the latest news from the field, and War Child’s upcoming campaigns.
You can also host a fundraising event in your community—a run, a benefit concert, a lemonade stand—or start your own fundraising page on our easy to use platform Classy. Engage your friends and family to help you raise funds to support war-affected children.
Are you a student? Start a War Child Club! We can connect you with resources and toolkits to help raise awareness about issues facing displaced families and fundraise on our behalf.