Episcopal Relief and Development is a major response by the Episcopal Church to God’s call to serve Christ in all persons, to love our neighbors, and to respect the dignity of every human being. Through grants for emergency relief, rehabilitation and development, Episcopal Relief and Development responds to people in need in the United States and around the world. Since 1940, Episcopal Relief and Development, formerly known as The Presiding Bishop’s Fund for World Relief, has distributed over $100 million to meet the needs of people in more than 100 countries on six continents. Relief grants provide food to the starving, basic supplies to war refugees, and temporary shelter to those left homeless from natural disasters while development grants address the root causes of human suffering. For example, development grants enable people to grow their own food, deal with Disaster News Network: Episcopal Relief and Development: Give Now the psychological aftermath of war, and rebuild whole communities obliterated by nature.

• Offering Relief in the Midst of Disasters

After natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, droughts, fires, and famines, or man-made catastrophes, such as wars and civil unrest, Episcopal Relief and Development immediately sends emergency grants to the local Episcopal or Anglican authority, other ecumenical relief and development agencies, or local organizations. This aid is usually focused on basic and immediate needs such as food, shelter, and medical care. Over the years, more than half of the agency’s disaster assistance has gone to emergencies in the United States. Most of the international assistance has gone to Africa, Central America, and parts of South America.

As recovery begins, Episcopal Relief and Development offers ongoing rehabilitation support geared toward rebuilding communities, replanting crops, finding jobs for the unemployed, and providing post-trauma services. These vital services are often overlooked by other relief agencies.

• Providing Assistance with Development

Episcopal Relief and Development also provides grants for proactive projects that focus on improving conditions, solving problems, and addressing the root causes of human suffering, such as malnutrition, poverty, homelessness, ill-health, and illiteracy. These projects support such things as job training, small-scale credit programs, adult literacy, health care clinics, disease prevention and education, and food banks.

We encourage you to remember this important ministry. For questions about Episcopal Relief and Development, you may call them at 800.334.7626 or visit their web site at www.er-d.org. In addition, you may contact our Parish Representative, Art Hart.