World Concern

World Concern is an international, nonprofit, Christian humanitarian nongovernmental organization (NGO) and is the international branch of CRISTA Ministries based in Seattle, Washington. The organization's mission centers on disaster response and long-term community development in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, targeting the most vulnerable, poverty-stricken, and inaccessible residents who are traditionally underserved by relief organizations. Services include improving education and literacy, business and agricultural opportunities, healthcare and nutrition, and living conditions. World Concern also funds partner organizations in countries where they do not have a direct presence. World Concern seeks to offer hope and stability through Christian service.

The organization began as Medicines for Missions, founded by physician Wilbert Saunders and pharmacist Jim McCoy in 1955 in order to provide overseas medical facilities with medicines. Medicines for Missions joined CRISTA Ministries and became World Concern in 1970. The organization expanded its mission in 1976 after delivering relief supplies to earthquake-stricken Guatemala. World Concern's leaders became concerned that short-term relief did not address the problem of long-term recovery and development. As a result, World Concern's employees and volunteers began long-term commitments to work in affected communities.

Both trained staff members and volunteers are utilized by World Concern. There are approximately 1,000 international staff members, 95 percent of whom were born and raised in the nation or region in which they work. The organization employs this strategy in order to have staff members who are more familiar with the people and cultures they work with and challenges they may face. World Concern also states that this increases the value of donations and provides local employment to those who might otherwise need assistance. The many volunteers that aid World Concern most often come from church congregations, youth groups, schools, Rotary clubs, and women's groups.