Thirteen Christian relief and development agencies around the world are joining forces in an alliance that will enable joint responses to disasters and long-term poverty.
The Global Alliance, which includes Tearfund, the UK’s 6th-largest relief and development agency, brings together agencies from countries including New Zealand, Hong Kong, Canada, Norway and the USA. Global Alliance members currently work in 75 countries around the world and have a combined income of more than $135 million. Its members hope to have a greater impact in tackling poverty by sharing resources and avoiding duplication.
‘When Tearfund responds to humanitarian emergencies and long-term poverty, other Christian agencies from around the world are doing exactly the same,’ says Doug Balfour, Tearfund’s General Director. ‘We share the same values and we are all working to eradicate suffering and poverty. It makes sense to pool expertise, people and resources.’
Global Alliance members, who had been discussing an alliance for two years, tested a co-ordinated response to a crisis following the Iraq war, when eight agencies contributed money and staff to care for the first refugees to arrive in camps in Jordan.
“Poverty, sickness, injustice - all these things continue to grow in our world today. While many people live comfortable lives, millions of people spend their days in misery and hopelessness,” says Laurie Cook, Global Alliance Chairperson and Chief Executive of World Relief Canada. “As organisations dedicated to fighting poverty and injustice, we recognise the need to come together to be more effective. Together, we can make a greater difference in the places where we work.”
The 13 Global Alliance members, who will work closely together are: CEDAR Fund (Hong Kong); Erikshjälpen (Sweden); Läkarmission (Sweden); Human Bridge (Sweden); Mission East (Denmark); Strømme Foundation (Norway); Tearfund (Belgium); TEAR Fund (Netherlands); TEAR Fund (New Zealand); Tear Fund (Switzerland); Tearfund (United Kingdom & Ireland); World Relief Canada; World Relief United States.