WESTPORT, Conn., April 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Save the Children is mobilizing staff and resources to respond to the needs of children impacted by a series of destructive tornadoes across central and southern states in the last two days.

A Save the Children first response team arrived today in Mississippi, where the latest series of deadly tornadoes hit Monday and storm risk remains high.  Save the Children has a strong history of more than 40 years working to protect and support children in Mississippi.  The non-profit organization provides programs for children living in poverty, and has partnered with the state to advance emergency preparedness and response to better protect children. 

Staff members are also assessing the situation for children in Arkansas, Kansas, Alabama, Oklahoma and Tennessee, where Save the Children also has ongoing programs and a strong commitment to helping children during this crisis. 

Death estimates are now more than 30, with the first victim being an infant in North Carolina.

"We know that children are the most vulnerable when disaster strikes, and it's essential that their needs for safety and support are prioritized from the start," said Carolyn Miles, Save the Children's president and CEO.

Save the Children has responded to numerous emergencies in the impacted region. In hard-hit Mississippi alone, Save the Children has led child-focused responses to Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav, and Isaac, as well as major floods and tornadoes in 2011. 

As the national leader in child-focused disaster response and recovery programs, Save the Children has prepositioned, child-focused supplies ready to go, and has strong local networks of partners serving the needs of children.

Save the Children is assessing what support children may need in shelters, and is also investigating whether child-care centers and other programs serving children need help to resume care at a critical time.

As always, Save the Children is prepared to respond to the most pressing immediate needs to ensure children's safety and well-being.  The organization mounted a major response to the deadly Oklahoma tornadoes last May, and continues long-term recovery work there to help children bounce back from the destruction that upturned many lives.

To protect the children in your life, see Save the Children's 10 tips for protecting children from tornadoes and 10 tips to help children cope with disaster.

Text TWISTER to 20222 to donate $10 to Save the Children and help the response effort (standard rates apply), or visit www.savethechildren.org/tornado. 

Save the Children gives children in the United States and around the world a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm.  We invest in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Media Contact:
Tanya Weinberg  
tweinberg@savechildren.org 
202-640-6647 (o), 202-247-6610 (m)

SOURCE Save the Children