For over 75 years, across 100 countries, World Relief has been tackling the world’s greatest problems with sustainable solutions, transforming communities from the inside out.
World Relief will be UPC’s Joy-sharing mission for July 2022.
Their Values:
We believe that God gave us a plan to save our broken world, and that it begins with His church and His people, leading the way. We want to see local churches creating and leading change in their communities.
We believe in transformation of the whole person – mind, body and spirit. That’s why our programs focus on addressing the root causes of poverty and vulnerability that often stem from harmful beliefs and practices. Beyond physical change, we focus on driving mental, social and spiritual transformation.
We understand that lasting change requires more than quick fixes and band-aid solutions. That’s why we rely on local leaders to implement our programs. Over 95% of our staff are local – people who know and love their communities and will remain long after we depart.
Their Focus:
- Disasters: Hundreds of disasters occur each year, causing immense suffering, destruction and loss.
In the last year alone World Relife was able to provide more than 2 million women, men and children in 10 different countries with humanitarian aid and disaster response. They help with both immediate response and risk reduction activities such as Food & Clean Water; Safe, Reliable Shelter; Sanitation & Hygiene; Emergency Nutrition Assistance and Psychosocial Support.
- Extreme Poverty: Today, over 652 million people live in extreme poverty, on less than $1.90 a day.
Extreme poverty isn’t just about economic hardship and lack of opportunity. It also leads to malnutrition, chronic illness, disease, violence and abuse. World Relief is combating extreme poverty through programs on: savings, agriculture, health & nutrition, child development, water, sanitation and education.
- Violence & Oppression: Today across the globe, violence, oppression and discrimination prevent millions from living up to their God-given potential.
Harmful traditional beliefs about the role of girls and women, tribal and ethnic divisions, and cultural stigmas that marginalize the disabled, widowed, or abused, strip many from the fullness of life they deserve. World Relief helps restore individuals, families and communities to the life God intended for them, through our work in: peacebuilding, conflict mediation, anti-human trafficking, girl empowerment and prevention of violence against women.
- Refugees, Immigrants and Displaced People: Today, over 80 million people around the world have been forced to leave their home. Each day, that number grows by over 37,000.
These families are fleeing for their lives, praying for their safety and desperately seeking refuge. Everyone deserves a place to call ‘home’. Families and young children deserve safety and security. World Relief helps by:
Providing Humanitarian Assistance: World Relief works with local partners to meet refugees at their first point of safety, providing emergency aid to families living in temporary shelters – including clean water, food, tarps, hygiene kits and other essential items.
Restoring Hope: As refugee families realize they may never return home, they often face an overwhelming loss of hope. Alongside local partners, we work to combat this by providing trauma counseling, mother and parent groups, and safe spaces and literacy clubs for refugee children to learn, grow and play.
Rebuilding Futures: As refugees begin to rebuild their homes and lives, World Relief helps families find housing, learn English, pursue employment, build friendships and create long-term support systems.
For more information:
Ways you can help:
- Donate. UPC will be collecting for World Relief as their July Joy-sharing mission. You could also go online to make a donation directly to World Relief.
- Spread the word. Tell others about World Relief.
- Pray for World Relief and for those it serves.