disaster
World: Media fact sheet: Five reasons why the care economy is one of the most transformative investments of our time
By UN Women at ReliefWeb
· June 24, 2026
· 4 min read
. Care work drives economies Care work – both unpaid and paid – makes economies possible. It is the essential daily work that keeps us nourished, healthy, and well – without it, our society and economy would grind to a halt. As populations age and care needs increase, investing in care systems is be
Key takeaway An estimated 350 million children require childcare services globally.
Why this matters
The care economy's transformative potential is closely tied to its impact on disaster relief and humanitarian efforts. As populations age and care needs increase, investing in care systems becomes crucial for building resilient communities that can withstand and recover from disasters. The fact that investments in care sectors can create two to three times more jobs than investments in the construction sector highlights the potential for care economy investments to also support post-disaster reconstruction efforts. Furthermore, the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work on women and girls, particularly in conflict and crisis situations, underscores the need for care systems that can alleviate this burden and support the most vulnerable populations. By recognizing the value of care work and investing in strong care systems, faith-based organizations and humanitarian groups can better support communities in need and promote a more equitable and sustainable approach to disaster relief and recovery.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . Care work drives economies Care work – both unpaid and paid – makes economies possible. It is the essential daily work that keeps us nourished, healthy, and well – without it, our society and economy would grind to a halt. As populations age and care needs increase, investing in care systems is be
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by UN Women at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .