Church World Service, is the relief and development agency of the 36 denominations of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., partners on the journey with indigenous churches and organizations in more than 80 countries, sharing the struggle to help people move beyond poverty and powerlessness. Born in the aftermath of World War II, today it encompasses U.S. Protestant, Anglican, and Orthodox communions cooperating worldwide in programs of social and economic development, emergency response, refugee assistance, mission relationship and witness, and education and advocacy.
Within the U.S., CWS assists communities in disaster response, resettles refugees, promotes fair national and international policies, provides educational resources, and offers opportunities to join a people-to-people network of local and global caring through participation in CROP WALKS, and Tools of Hope, Blanket , and Gift of the Heart Kits.
CWS Emergency Response Program helps the faith community play its special role in disaster mitigation, preparedness, and response in the U.S. and around the world -- which is to:
- Stand on the side of the oppressed through advocacy with and
for those most in need.
- Seek out unmet needs of all survivors - particularly people
who were vulnerable and marginalized before the disaster.
- Provide a larger vision of life that includes emotional and
spiritual care as well as physical rebuilding.
- Assist in long-term recovery of those in need.
- Restore and build community relationships.
The goal of the CWS Emergency Response Program is assuring:
Vulnerable persons and communities, in the aftermath of
natural and human caused disaster, will achieve long-term physical,
psychological and spiritual recovery and acquire sustainable forms
of preparedness.
To do this, the CWS Emergency Response Program enables its member communions to effectively join together through its activities and the work of CWS partners in disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response. CWS encourages all religious organizations to coordinate when disaster strikes with others in the faith community so that those in need receive assistance most efficiently and effectively.
To learn more about how and what we do, please visit our How We Work page.
