Lutheran World Federation

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) was founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, and now has 140 member church organizations in 79 countries representing over 68.5 million Christians. The Department for World Service (DWS) is the arm of LWF, that provides humanitarian aid and disaster relief worldwide. Disaster relief efforts are coordinated through field programs in 36 countries. The scope of disaster relief in a given country varies due to socioeconomic status and resource availability.

The disaster relief programs and associated agencies provide economic stimulation through an empowering, rights-based, integrated approach. DWS is governed by the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and NGOs in Disaster Relief. By design, all programs of the DWS are structured to empower the individuals who are served, with a goal of eventually eliminating the need for the agency's services. Many of the programs are staffed by members of local churches or government officials. The model of ongoing financial stability provided by DWS is crucial, particularly in areas that have been home to refugees. Regional programs are designed to serve the unique needs of varying populations.

The DWS has specialized activities in five focus areas: emergencies, refugees, and internally displaced persons; sustainable development and the environment; advocacy and communications; human resources development; and planning, monitoring, and evaluation. DWS has six priority areas to achieve the goals of overcoming poverty and ensuring human rights. These priority areas are responding to and preparing for disasters; creating sustainable communities; combating human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS); promoting peace, reconciliation, and human rights; transforming gender relations; and protecting the environment.

When natural disaster strikes, it often affects several countries, making it critical that regional programs mobilize and communicate efficiently. Country-specific programs carry out much of the same work as regional programs. The major difference is that the works implemented through these programs are tailored to meet the specific needs of a smaller community. Programs in these areas are implemented by congregations in member churches and are focused on sustainability and capacity-building.

The LWF serves a population that has a variety of complex problems. Many of the areas in need of disaster relief have a large population of refugees, and political unrest results in the formation of such camps. In order for organizations like the DWS to provide adequate social services in these areas, the DWS staff engages in meaningful partnerships with local organizations. A concurrent mission for the LWF is modeling sound financial and economic strategy. Given the demographics that this agency serves, the staff must have a strong working knowledge of local culture, which is acquired through relationships with local individuals who are respected among community members.

[Page 394]In order to provide the complexity of services that LWF encompasses, it is paramount that communication and operations be centralized and delegated. The international headquarters of the LWF is located in Geneva, Switzerland, where leaders of the communion of Christian churches gather to engage in ecumenical conversation. Though all denominations share a similar core of Christian beliefs, slight differences in practice and beliefs exist. Therefore, dialogue between denominations is important to ensure unity and strength in mission.

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