Relief International

Philosophy of Relief

Relief International is dedicated to seeking and addressing the long-term developmental needs of its beneficiaries, even while in the emergency phase. The agency recognizes that disasters have the most negative impact on the lives of the poor; yet disasters, and especially the movement of populations, can also bring about unexpected, positive social change. This context can therefore serve as a window of opportunity for eradicating poverty and social injustice.

Relief International focuses on serving people who typically have not received due attention, and in several large-scale crises, Relief International has been the first U.S.-based agency to provide high-impact development emergency programming to communities in need. Relief International believes that as a humanitarian agency, one of its main functions is to communicate the pronounced needs of the vulnerable and affected populations to the international community. Relief International thus consults closely with the local communities it serves in order to ensure that its programs do not impose solutions from the outside, but rather address their needs and requirements for the long term. This grassroots approach proves effective in fostering an environment of self-help and sustainability.

Offices and Programs

Relief International has worked in approximately 52 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. Headquarters are located in Los Angeles, with offices in Redwood Shores, California; Washington, D.C.; and Japan. Program offices are located in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Niger, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, and Tajikistan. Relief International manages six programs; Emergency Response; Health and Nutrition; Education and Global Connectivity; Livelihoods and Food Securities; Shelter and Infrastructure; and Civil Society, Protection, and Capacity Building.

The Emergency Response Program attempts to meet the immediate needs of victims of natural disasters and civil conflicts worldwide with provisions of food rations, clean water, nonfood items, and emergency medical services. Relief International's Rapid Emergency Deployment (RED) team arrives in hours to affected regions with the primary focus of providing relief to the most vulnerable members of society: women, children, and the elderly.

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