Save the Children was founded in the UK in 1919 by teacher and social reformer Eglantyne Jebb and has been campaigning for the rights and protection of children worldwide ever since. The organization’s work is based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Sustainable Development Goals. Children and families themselves are always involved in project development and evaluation – because they are best placed to judge what they need and what helps them. The organization has a very good international reputation and regularly has its expenditure independently audited (e.g. Charity Navigator or the DZI donation seal). The DZI has certified annually since 2011 that the German organization handles its funds efficiently and transparently. In addition, Save the Children Deutschland e. V. has voluntarily joined the Transparent Civil Society Initiative. The German member of the international Save the Children network has been in existence since 2004.

Moving Child continuously supports Save the Children projects that are particularly close to our hearts:

Better living conditions for children in northern Syria – 2024

The war in Syria has been going on since 2011 – with catastrophic consequences for the civilian population. Save the Children works in the north of the country and helps children and their families. This is because 90 percent of the population lives in poverty. 1.7 million people live in northern Syria, around 500,000 of whom have fled to the north from other parts of the country. Studies show that half a million children are chronically malnourished and around 137,000 children are acutely malnourished. This makes the situation even more difficult: In many areas, hospitals and other facilities have been destroyed. In many places there is no clean drinking water. The earthquake in north-western Syria and Turkey – at the beginning of February 2023 – exacerbated the already great need in the country. In the earthquake region, Save the Children teams are working in the areas of health, child protection, education, nutrition, access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene. The employees examine children and adults for symptoms of malnutrition. They distribute food so that families have enough to eat. They also set up shelters and play areas for children where they can play and learn in a supervised environment and receive further help. Save the Children also ensures that school-age children continue to receive education by providing rooms, teaching and learning materials.

Gaza and Palestinian territories – 2023

In 2023, our special support was directed towards the acute need for humanitarian aid for children and families from the Palestinian territories. Children in Israel and the Palestinian territories in particular are paying the highest price for the escalation of violence in the region. Save the Children plays a leading role among the aid organizations there, as it has been active in these areas for 50 years and is very well networked. All aid organizations are campaigning vehemently for a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access. Many children in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and the West Bank are also being cared for in the aid shelters there. Access to the Gaza Strip continues to be extremely dangerous and highly emotional, but becomes more important with each passing day, as dangers such as famine, contaminated water and playing in war debris are constantly increasing.

Earthquake aid Syria/Turkey – 2023

On February 6, 2023, severe earthquakes struck Syria and Turkey. Every third child made homeless in the affected Turkish region is still living in emergency accommodation. In Syria, a significant escalation of the conflict threatens people who have been living with the ongoing crisis for almost 13 years. In both countries, children are struggling with psychological problems. Immediately after the earthquakes, Save the Children responded quickly, clearing rubble and providing urgently needed food, water and shelter. The aid was then expanded: Families in Turkey were supported in getting their lives back on track, and children and their families in Syria were helped to cope with the many challenges of the past year.

Ukraine emergency aid – 2022

The conflict in Ukraine has caused the fastest and largest displacement of people in Europe since the Second World War. Heavy fighting, shelling and airstrikes across Ukraine have forced almost 16 million people to flee the country, with a further 7.7 million internally displaced. Save the Children has been providing humanitarian aid for children and their families in Ukraine since 2014. Since the escalation of the war, they have been helping refugees from Ukraine throughout Europe and supporting children in receiving all the necessary services. In 2022 alone, humanitarian aid was provided to over 1,000,000 people in Ukraine and the neighboring countries of Poland, Romania and Lithuania. Among other things, our generous donations made it possible to provide food and water, deliver cash aid, provide psychosocial support and create shelters.

„Corona emergency aid“, India – 2021

Children are particularly affected by the consequences of the extremely high number of infections in India in May and June 2021. Many are orphaned and unprotected. The supply of food, hygiene products, medicines and psychological and social support for children is often interrupted or not possible at all. Save the Children is working to provide urgently needed medical and social care for children in India.

„Safe back to School“, Yemen – 2021

The prolonged state of war, the destruction of many schools and pandemic-related school closures often lead to many children in Yemen permanently dropping out of school and dropping out of education. “Safe back to school” plays a very special role here, as many parents keep their children at home because the journey to school and everyday school life are too dangerous. Save the Children establishes contact with the children, distributes learning materials for homeschooling and supports the children’s return to school.