Op-Ed’s & Press Releases
World Relief Upstate South Carolina Announces New Office Director, Brandon Baughn
June 17, 2021
CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
lauren.carl@pinkston.co
(703) 388-6734
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Today, Brandon Baughn was announced as the new office director of World Relief Upstate South Carolina (SC). Before joining World Relief Upstate SC, Brandon worked in community and educational development in Pakistan and Indonesia for nearly 15 years. In Pakistan, Brandon managed a mobile literacy school program for nomadic groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For the past four years, he has been working as the program director for Yayasan Internasional Cahaya Fajar’s refugee education program, Roshan, in Jakarta, Indonesia. In this role, Brandon supported a national and refugee team in providing safe learning spaces for children, youth and adults from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Somalia.
World Relief Upstate SC’s dedicated staff and volunteers assist newly-arriving refugees with initial resettlement, employment and job training opportunities, English speaking skills, and school registration and placement. These services help move refugees from stability to integration.
“While complex, I believe the global refugee crisis is one of the most pressing issues facing us today and feel privileged to be able to join World Relief’s work in welcoming refugees to South Carolina,” said Brandon Baughn, World Relief Upstate South Carolina office director.
Originally from Ohio, Brandon holds a master’s degree in International Education Development from Columbia University’s Teachers College in NY, New York.
“Brandon has extensive experience in creating safe learning spaces for urban refugees who were waiting indefinitely for resettlement, and we celebrate him in his newly-appointed role at World Relief Upstate,” said Misty Huey, World Relief Upstate South Carolina program manager. “Under his leadership, our team is working together to ensure that the families we resettle are warmly welcomed and generously served with the love and compassion of Jesus.”
World Relief Upstate South Carolina has worked to mobilize the local church and community to serve and resettle refugees in the Greenville and Spartanburg areas since its opening in 2015. Since then, the office has resettled 538 refugees.
“Over the past four years, Brandon led Roshan through an amazing period of growth and transformation into a thriving education program for refugee children, youth, and adults,” said Scott Arbeiter, president of World Relief. “Our team at World Relief Upstate, led by Brandon, envisions refugees being empowered to rebuild their homes and lives as we come alongside them to bring hope, healing and transformation.”
To learn more about World Relief Upstate South Carolina, visit https://worldreliefupstatesc.org/.
Download a PDF version of this press release, click here.
About World Relief Upstate South Carolina
World Relief Upstate South Carolina is a nonprofit evangelical organization that assists refugees as they transition to new lives in America. From housing and medical assistance to ESL classes and employment services, World Relief Upstate SC provides refugees with essential opportunities to move from becoming self-sufficient to integrated in our community.
World Relief Baltimore Unveils New Name and Status Change, Continues Commitment to Serving Immigrants in Maryland and Baltimore as a Field Office
June 3, 2021
CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
lauren.carl@pinkston.co
(703) 388-6734
BALTIMORE – Today, World Relief’s Baltimore Immigration Legal Clinic revealed its new name: World Relief Baltimore Immigrant Services Office. The Legal Clinic has had a presence in Maryland since 2004 as the service arm of the home office, offering immigration legal services, but by a change in office status to field office, the Baltimore location will be able to offer a broader range of services to immigrants in a wider variety of situations. In the short term, World Relief Baltimore will be able to expand the current services of advising and representing immigrants and their family members in immigration matters such as applying for permanent residence, family petitions, citizenship, work permits, TPS and DACA.
“World Relief Baltimore Immigrant Services Office’s transition to a field office will connect it more effectively with World Relief’s U.S. programs and expand its access to support for volunteer engagement, funding and resources that will assist with vision and mission for how we serve immigrants in the area,” said Jenn Foy, World Relief vice president of U.S. programs. “We want to address community needs by expanding the office’s capacity.”
Immigration legal services is a powerful and important program that World Relief Baltimore has been running for over fifteen years. Immigration legal services at World Relief field offices has three key components: legal advising, community education & outreach and direct legal representation. By becoming a field office, World Relief Baltimore’s change in status will enable the location to expand its offerings in all three categories as well as to respond to local needs. World Relief has not had a resettlement office in Maryland since its Anne Arundel County field office closed in 2017 after three years in operation.
“Building our capacity to serve immigrants is the most important thing. There’s such a need for legal service support to immigrants in our Baltimore City region and the state of Maryland, particularly in the realm of DACA and family petitions,” said World Relief Baltimore program director Laure Pepper Covert. “We’re now helping unite families and provide a wide range of legal representation that increases the stability of our clients. This shift will help us prioritize direct representation, which helps immigrants get the legal counsel and support they need to navigate the complex immigration legal system.”
Prior to COVID-19, World Relief’s Baltimore location served an average number of 500 immigrants per year: two-thirds consisted of legal advising, and one-third consisted of cases. The pandemic halted in-person legal advising, but with its upgraded status as a field office and a renovated office space in the building on May 15, 2021, World Relief Baltimore hopes to see clients soon in a socially distanced manner. The new space will increase efficiencies and conveniences for clients by allowing in-person communication.
In times like these, World Relief Baltimore’s commitment to serve and love the most vulnerable is deepened, and the need to continue this vital work is as important as ever. To learn more about World Relief’s work in Baltimore City and the state of Maryland visit https://worldrelief.org/baltimore.
To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.
About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.
Learn more at worldrelief.org.
World Relief Southern California Announces New Office Director, Heather Kwak
June 2, 2021
CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
lauren.carl@pinkston.co
(703) 388-6734
GARDEN GROVE, Calif. — Today, Heather Kwak was announced as the new office director of World Relief Southern California. Heather established her career with World Relief Southern California in 2012 as a volunteer resettling refugees. Four years later, she became the program manager for World Relief Southern California’s Department of Justice accredited Immigration Legal Services (ILS), which provides immigrant communities with the support and knowledge they need to obtain legal status in the U.S. Heather has seven years of experience in immigration legal representation. Some of her areas of focus include family reunification, DACA, citizenship and survivor-based relief.
“I am blessed to be able to serve and work alongside immigrants and refugees. My office team and I are committed to preserving the dignity and value of all the families we serve,” said Heather Kwak, World Relief Southern California office director.
Heather holds a master’s degree in international relations from Seton Hall University in New Jersey and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Irvine. As a daughter of Korean immigrants, Heather has dedicated her life to keeping families like hers together.
“Heather has spent her career welcoming immigrants and reuniting families. We celebrate her and all the Asian Americans who have enriched the community and the country we call home,” said Jane Register, World Relief San Diego church mobilizer.
World Relief SoCal has been a welcoming community for immigrants and refugees since its opening in 1979. Since then, the office has served thousands of immigrants.
“Our team, led by Heather, envisions refugees and other immigrants being welcomed by community, rooted in community, and empowered for community. It is our great privilege to welcome Heather as office director as we work together to invest in a welcoming community on behalf of those we serve,” said Tim Breene, CEO of World Relief.
To learn more about World Relief SoCal, visit https://worldreliefsocal.org/.
To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.
About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.
Learn more at worldrelief.org.
World Relief Applauds Biden Administration’s Renewed Commitment to a Presidential Determination of 62,500 for Refugee Resettlement in FY2021
May 3, 2021
CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
lauren.carl@pinkston.co
(703) 388-6734
BALTIMORE – Today, President Biden raised the refugee ceiling for FY2021 to 62,500, following through on an earlier commitment to restore U.S. leadership on refugee protection and leaving behind discriminatory restrictions that effectively excluded many vulnerable refugees from being able to be resettled to the United States. This change comes after repeated calls from World Relief, volunteers and churches, the refugee advocacy community and refugees themselves, that urged the president to honor his previous commitments to refugees to raise the refugee ceiling.
“We are relieved and encouraged to see a renewed commitment to keep the United States a beacon of light for those fleeing persecution,” commented World Relief President Scott Arbeiter. “Without this key step, many refugee families would have continued to be kept apart and many vulnerable refugees unable to find protection here. We thank President Biden and encourage his ongoing support for refugees.”
In his first days in office, President Biden indicated that he would set the refugee admissions goal at 62,500 for the remainder of FY2021, paving the way for a goal of 125,000 for FY2022 – the number on which President Biden campaigned.
“At a time when the world is facing the most significant displacement crisis since WWII, the need for the U.S. to welcome and care for refugees has never been more urgent,” added Jenny Yang, senior vice president of advocacy and policy for World Relief. “This new Presidential Determination is a necessary first action, and many refugees’ lives will be changed as a result of the President’s actions today. There is much work still to be done to rebuild the resettlement infrastructure and restore refugee processing, but we look forward to partnering with the Biden-Harris administration on this important work.”
To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.
About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.
Learn more at worldrelief.org.
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World Relief Applauds Progress in President Biden’s First 100 Days and Calls For Continued Action to Strengthen U.S. Humanitarian Leadership and Broader Support for Those Fleeing Persecution
April 29, 2021
CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
lauren.carl@pinkston.co
(703) 388-6734
BALTIMORE – As President Biden completes his first 100 days in office, World Relief commends his administration’s early actions around some of the most pressing challenges we face today: addressing racially-motivated violence, combating gender-based violence globally, tackling climate change, expanding refugee resettlement, and pushing for broad immigration reform. Yet while World Relief remains hopeful that Biden will continue to respond to these critical areas, we urge the president to continue to show leadership in other key arenas as well.
Since taking office, President Biden has issued several executive orders designed to help the United States create a more humane asylum system, promote immigrant integration and inclusion and reunite families separated at the border. The administration has also committed to processing unaccompanied children under the terms of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act and, despite logistical challenges, has made significant progress to ensure that such children are protected and cared for under the terms of the law. And the administration has taken important steps to combat sexual and gender-based violence globally. World Relief applauds the actions that Biden has taken thus far.
We also urge President Biden to strengthen U.S. refugee and asylum systems in the United States while leading globally to combat extreme poverty and support local communities engaged in relief and development. At the end of February, the President released a revised Presidential Determination that would raise the refugee ceiling to 62,500 for the current fiscal year, but the President has yet to officially raise the ceiling. In addition, while the President has taken the steps necessary to restore a functional asylum process for adults who arrive along the U.S.-Mexico border, the U.S. continues to use Title 42 to expel asylum seekers from the country. World Relief calls on President Biden to raise the refugee ceiling and strengthen our asylum protections for adults and families, not just unaccompanied minors.
In addition, while the President’s memo on April 16th expanded the categories of eligibility for refugees resettled to the U.S., World Relief urges the White House to continue to make critical changes in the U.S. refugee admissions program to increase processing capacities for refugees, streamline inefficiencies in the system and provide more robust resources for refugees before and after their arrival to the U.S.
“President Biden campaigned on the promise to restore our refugee resettlement program and restore American leadership on humanitarian issues,” said Scott Arbeiter, President of World Relief. “So far, he has taken steps in that direction, but much of his promise remains unfulfilled. In particular, President Biden can make good on his promise by immediately signing a Presidential Determination on refugee admissions of 62,500 refugees for the remainder of the 2021 fiscal year.”
Additionally, World Relief supports the Biden administration’s broad framework for immigration reform, which led to introduction of the United States Citizenship Act in February. This bill provides an 8-year path to citizenship for millions of Americans without legal status, outlines an expedited path to citizenship for Dreamers and others who have already been residing lawfully in the U.S. and proposes several other vital changes to our immigration system.
“Immigration is a complex policy issue that can ultimately only be resolved through bipartisan congressional action,” said World Relief Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy Jenny Yang. “We welcome President Biden’s efforts to address these challenges in a holistic way, including addressing the root causes that fuel migration to the U.S. and an earned path to citizenship for the undocumented. We now need him to play a proactive role in forging the bipartisan consensus necessary to actually pass reforms, with Dreamers as a particularly urgent priority.”
Globally, World Relief also applauds the Biden administration’s substantial commitments to combat sexual and gender-based violence, including his Executive Order on Establishment of the White House Gender Policy Council which would “advance gender equality globally through diplomacy, development, trade, and defense; implement U.S. government commitments to women’s involvement in peace and security efforts; and recognize the needs and contributions of women and girls in humanitarian crises and in development assistance.” These are all key recommendations World Relief made to the White House during the transition and throughout the early months of the administration.
U.S. leadership is critically needed to lead on global health efforts and combat extreme poverty. The U.S. government, and other governments worldwide, have promoted partnerships with faith-based organizations to improve social and health outcomes. Policies and procedures that include faith-based organizations as stakeholders need to shift from national level dialogues to include district and local actors, and the actual areas of faith-based difference must be understood by governments and donors so that there are not critical gaps in programs. A key example of this is World Relief’s work to meet the pressing humanitarian needs spilling out of the Tigray region in Ethiopia into neighboring Sudan. The established partnerships World Relief has developed on the ground prove the importance of engaging local and community actors to stabilize regions experiencing the effects of conflict.
World Relief also calls on the Biden administration to engage in diplomatic efforts to promote peace in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other areas experiencing conflict. U.S. leadership in partnership with local communities and faith-based organizations is critically needed to address the ongoing, complex humanitarian crises that are unfolding in many areas around the world.
As President Biden leads efforts to strengthen U.S. refugee and asylum systems, respond to international humanitarian disasters, combat COVID-19 and other diseases, reduce gender-based violence and address climate change, World Relief stands ready to partner with him and his administration to pursue these goals in partnership with local communities in the U.S. and around the world.
To learn more about World Relief’s programs around the world, visit worldrelief.org.
To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.
About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.
Learn more at worldrelief.org.
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World Relief Applauds Bipartisan Efforts to Bring Commonsense Solutions to the Immigration System
April 23, 2021
CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
lauren.carl@pinkston.co
(703) 388-6734
BALTIMORE – Yesterday, Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Representatives Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX) introduced the Bipartisan Border Solutions Act in both chambers of Congress. World Relief applauds this necessary first step toward resolving longstanding and recurring challenges along the U.S.–Mexico border and affirms that bipartisan legislation is critical for advancing solutions that would protect vulnerable children, women and men at the border and beyond.
“In a political climate that is all too often divisive, it’s encouraging to see both parties work together to introduce bipartisan legislation that would provide much needed resources and processes to help those seeking asylum in the United States,” said World Relief President Scott Arbeiter. “World Relief hopes to see more conversations take place across party lines that are centered on protecting those fleeing persecution – particularly children – and ensuring efficient and effective processes are in place for fair and timely hearings.”
The bill’s introduction shows that there is indeed a broad range of support for commonsense, bipartisan immigration reform. World Relief acknowledges that the legislation is a stepping stone toward a permanent solution for Dreamers, agricultural workers, long-term TPS recipients and others who are vital members of our communities in need of access to permanent legal status and eventual citizenship.
“Yesterday’s bipartisan cooperation is a prime example of the type of model members of Congress must strive for if they are to lay firm groundwork for broader immigration reforms,” said Matthew Soerens, World Relief U.S. director of church mobilization and advocacy. “World Relief believes every person is made in the image of God and longs to see dignity restored within marginalized and underserved communities. Ultimately, what’s happening at our nation’s border is not a partisan issue – it’s a moral matter of defending those in need of protection while maintaining legal order. Democrats and Republicans must work together to achieve meaningful change in all areas where reform is needed.”
As bills continue to be introduced in the coming months and years, we recognize that Christians have a unique opportunity to call on our elected officials in Congress to ensure immigrants are not dehumanized and life-affirming principles are taken into consideration when forming legislation. World Relief calls on our Senators to approach immigration reform with passion over fear and urge them to work together to develop workable solutions that transcend mere rhetoric and result in true transformation.
To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.
About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.
Learn more at worldrelief.org.
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World Relief Decries Biden Administration’s Failure to Follow Through on its Promise to Set Robust Presidential Determination for Refugee Resettlement in 2021
April 16, 2021
CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
lauren.carl@pinkston.co
(703) 388-6734
BALTIMORE – Today, despite his repeated promises to increase the U.S.’s commitment to resettling refugees, President Biden signed a revised Presidential Determination for Refugee Resettlement (PD), maintaining President Trump’s historically low admissions goal of 15,000. While President Biden’s revised PD does make important and long-awaited changes to regional admissions categories, the decision to keep the refugee cap at an all-time low represents a stunning betrayal of the president’s previous commitment. While, after widespread outcry, the administration indicated that further revisions may be forthcoming, World Relief believes President Biden must set the refugee ceiling at the promised level of 62,500 for the remainder of the fiscal year immediately.
World Relief believes the ceiling that President Biden signed today is short-sighted and an abdication of our values. The world is currently facing the greatest displacement crisis in modern history, with at least 79.5 million people currently forced from their homes. Of these nearly 80 million people, 26 million are refugees, meaning they have fled their countries because they faced persecution and are unable to find safety at home should they return. The need for countries like the U.S. to welcome and care for the most vulnerable of these refugees has never been greater, and yet the U.S. refugee admissions program has been drastically cut. In fact, President Biden has now affirmed a refugee ceiling that is less than one-third of the level set by President Trump in his first days in office — a level that World Relief’s leadership and many other evangelical leaders sharply critiqued at the time.
“We are shocked and disappointed to hear that President Biden has failed to keep his promise to expand the refugee admissions cap. Biden made clear that he would rebuild the U.S. refugee resettlement program that had been devastated by his predecessor; in embracing President Trump’s historically low refugee ceiling, President Biden is betraying his commitment to build back better” said Scott Arbeiter, president of World Relief. “At a time when refugees and immigrants need American leadership more than ever before, President Biden is refusing to take action.”
Restoring the U.S. refugee program was an official priority of the Biden-Harris administration, with President Biden formally proposing to raise the refugee admissions goal for the remainder of the 2021 fiscal year (FY21) to 62,500 – a move that would have paved the way for a refugee admissions goal of 125,000 during the next fiscal year (FY22). With President Biden’s decision to keep Trump’s refugee cap in place, the future of refugee admissions in the years to come is now uncertain.
The new commitment to leave the presidential determination at 15,000 came with new regional categories that replaced Trump’s four admissions categories, which has led more than 700 refugees’ flights to be cancelled in recent weeks. The new categories are as follows::
- Africa – 7,000
- East Asia – 1,000
- Europe and Central Asia – 1,500
- Latin America/Caribbean – 3,000
- Near East/South Asia – 1,500
- Unallocated Reserve – 1,000
“We are glad that President Trump’s discriminatory admissions categories have been rescinded, but the fact that the refugee ceiling remains unchanged at 15,000 is a stunning disappointment, and we’re not going to celebrate further vague promises that the ceiling will be reconsidered in the future. The president has effectively abandoned his commitment to help refugees around the world by keeping the refugee ceiling at the lowest levels in U.S. history. He has backtracked on the promise he made in February to raise the refugee ceiling to 62,500, continuing Trump’s draconian policies that shut the door on those fleeing persecution. The effects have been felt by some of the most vulnerable people around the world. In order to truly strengthen the refugee program and reach the eventual goal of resettling 125,000 refugees, the president must do more to restore U.S. leadership in refugee protection, especially when we are facing the world’s worst refugee crisis since World War II,” said Jenny Yang, senior vice president of advocacy and policy for World Relief.
World Relief asks the Biden administration to rebuild and strengthen the resettlement program to meet the promised refugee admissions goal of 62,500. Congress should support robust federal funding for refugee protection and resettlement, as well as proactive legislation, such as the GRACE Act, which would set a minimum refugee admissions goal of 125,000 and expand congressional oversight over the operations of the resettlement program.
“The refugee resettlement ceiling should be raised immediately, so our nation can welcome those we have already vetted. Refugee resettlement is a process that is entirely separate from the challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border, and the situation there should not prevent the administration from keeping its promise to refugees who have already been vetted overseas,” said Tim Breene, CEO of World Relief.
To learn more about refugee resettlement and to ask your congressional representative to consider legislation on it, visit https://worldrelief.org/advocate/
To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.
About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.
Learn more at worldrelief.org.
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World Relief Condemns Anti-Asian Violence
March 17, 2021
CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
lauren.carl@pinkston.co
(703) 388-6734
BALTIMORE —
In the devastating wake of the Atlanta-area spa shootings that occurred yesterday evening, World Relief adamantly decries the violence committed against the eight victims who were killed, six of whom were Asian and all but one of whom were women. While some details relating to the current case are still emerging, these attacks occur amidst a clear trend of increased racially-motivated violence toward Asian Americans.
“World Relief is heartbroken by the recent increase in crimes against Asian-Americans and urges our community to join us in prayer for victims and their loved ones,” says Scott Arbeiter, president of World Relief. “World Relief entirely condemns violence and the racist rhetoric that can fuel such attacks.”.
World Relief is proud to follow the lead of Asian-American Christian leaders by affirming their Statement on Anti-Asian Racism in the Time of COVID-19, released last March, which states that while all Americans are living in fear of contracting COVID-19, Asian Americans in particular face the added fear of discrimination and violence on a daily basis. The FBI warned that hate crimes against Asian Americans would likely increase across the U.S., and as an organization committed to serving the needs of our world’s most vulnerable and marginalized, World Relief laments that racist rhetoric in response to the pandemic could manifest itself in increased incidences of violence toward Asian Americans.
“Hate and violence towards Asians must stop. It’s absolutely sickening to see the rash of hate crimes increase exponentially against Asians in the U.S. Asians are not a virus. This is our home,” says Jenny Yang, World Relief Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy. “All of us must collectively do more to fight against the scourge of hatred manifested both through our words and actions against not just Asians but other people of color as well. I call on the broader church to denounce such acts of violence and stand in solidarity with those of us in the Asian community.”
“Among the refugees we have welcomed to the U.S. in the past decade, many have been individuals who were originally from Burma in Southeast Asia,” observes Tim Breene, CEO of World Relief. “While they are generally very grateful to be free from persecution that is often targeted at them for their ethnic and religious minority status in Burma, it is unconscionable that they and other Asian-Americans should face threats on account of their race in the U.S.”
World Relief leadership and our extended community of staff and volunteers acknowledge and repent that racism is not just a scourge afflicting American society but an undeniable disease within the U.S. church. We resolve to challenge the U.S. church to disciple people toward a Christ-like response to prejudice that celebrates the dignity of all people and decries all racist rhetoric, violence and systems.
World Relief calls upon the redemptive power of the Gospel to bind up wounds and empower true reconciliation across every social and racial divide. We urge individuals, organizations and churches to support the Asian American Christian Collaborative by going to www.asianamericanchristiancollaborative.com for resources for faithful action to address anti-Asian racism. We pray for the gift of true repentance in every heart and for the collective body of Jesus Christ to pursue healing, justice and unity as one.
About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.
Learn more at worldrelief.org.
To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.
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World Relief Celebrates International Women’s Day and President Biden’s Recent Actions Combating Gender-Based Violence
March 8, 2021
CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
lauren.carl@pinkston.co
(703) 388-6734
BALTIMORE —
This International Women’s Day is centered on the ways women are challenging gender bias and using their leadership platforms to forge a gender-equal world. Today, World Relief celebrates the achievements of women and girls who persevered through the many social, economic, and COVID-19 related challenges of the past twelve months to help transform their communities for the better.
The difficulties of the pandemic have been deeply felt, and its exposure has awakened us to the collective change we want and need to see take place.
Women play a vital role in building and strengthening communities, and we honor their commitment to seeing our world transformed.Over the past 77 years, World Relief has remained committed to empowering women and improving their health, safety and well-being. Over 80% of those who directly benefit from World Relief’s programs are women and children.
“Today, we join with millions of others around the world in celebration of women everywhere who are challenging their communities to change, even through their suffering,” said Scott Arbeiter, president of World Relief. “Their leadership is challenging gender norms, changing beliefs, shifting systems and combating systemic injustice. They are strong, courageous women whose stories are worthy of honor and celebration. They challenge us to dig deeper, push harder and speak louder.”
On a national and international scale, World Relief is equipping women to lead as agents of change in the transformation, restoration and development of their communities. In the Maasai community of Kajiado, Kenya, for example, just one way gender inequality manifests itself is through female genital mutilation (FGM), a harmful practice that 78% of girls in the community face. Girls and women in the Maasai community and beyond have little to no agency over their futures. And yet, seeds of change are taking root as we work to facilitate change and community transformation. In partnership with local churches, World Relief is teaching women and men of God to embrace the concept of “Imago Dei,” a Latin phrase meaning “image of God.”
“In places like Kajiado, South Sudan, and Burundi, we are seeing men and women begin to speak out against cultural beliefs that harm or marginalize young girls and women,” says Karen González, World Relief director of human resources. “There remains much work to be done both internationally and through our U.S. offices serving on the forefront of refugee resettlement, but we are committed to continuing the journey together through programs that promote the well-being and thriving of women and girls.”
World Relief celebrates our U.S.-based women in leadership and volunteers, including our many Community Ambassadors, who have persevered through the challenges presented by the pandemic to find creative solutions for helping refugee families thrive through change. World Relief has focused on increasing gender balance in leadership roles at all levels of staffing, a change that has manifested in an increased proportion of women in all our staff roles, with a special focus on most senior roles.
“These accomplishments would not be possible without leadership in each country’s office understanding and prioritizing gender equality, not only through their own actions, but by addressing gaps recognized organizationally and programmatically,” says Eeva Sallinen Simard, project director for the SCOPE project and gender focal point. “World Relief is committed to raising the value of women and their insight in every community we serve.”
“We choose to challenge gender inequality that is all too commonplace in our world. Over the past year, research shows that women and girls have disproportionately experienced the consequences of COVID-19. I’m pleased to know that today President Biden adopted several of our key recommendations around addressing gender-based violence, including through an executive order appointing a Special Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor on Gender-Based Violence; mandating a National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence; updating the 2016 U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally; and focusing on Gender-Based Violence as an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jenny Yang, senior vice president of advocacy and policy at World Relief.
Please take a moment to read our digital magazine for Women’s History Month.
About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.
Learn more at worldrelief.org.
To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.
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World Relief Responds to Attack on World Food Programme Convoy in the Democratic Republic of Congo
February 22, 2021
CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
lauren.carl@pinkston.co
(703) 388-6734
BALTIMORE — World Relief is grieved and shocked by the recent attack on the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) convoy in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Luca Attanasio, Italy’s ambassador to the Congo since 2017, was killed, as well as an Italian police officer and their Congolese driver.
The ambush occurred as the convoy was traveling from Goma, DRC’s eastern regional capital, to visit a WFP school feeding project in Rutshuru. These individuals were attacked while carrying out critical work in helping provide food assistance to those who do not have it.
“We have worked with the World Food Programme to respond to critical hunger needs in the DRC and other countries and are saddened by this devastating news,” said Charles Franzén, director of humanitarian and disaster response at World Relief. “Humanitarian organizations often have to take dangerous routes to reach vulnerable populations around the world, and this is a reminder that safety measures should be a top priority to ensure critical humanitarian aid reaches those who are most vulnerable.”
Since 2001, World Relief has been on the ground in DRC, helping communities restart their lives and address the social fractures that exist as a result of long-term conflict. In the eastern DRC, World Relief works in areas where multiple armed groups are operating and where violence persists. World Relief runs programs in HIV/AIDS prevention, peacebuilding, sexual and gender-based violence and trauma healing, agriculture and food security, saving groups, and church mobilization and empowerment.
“Over the years, World Relief has worked with stakeholders in the DRC to reach some of the most vulnerable populations and hardest areas in the region,” said Myal Greene, senior vice president of international programs. “This situation is a devastating reminder of the significant challenges and dangers our staff and other humanitarian workers face every day. We are committed to continuing to bring peace and sustainable solutions to the DR of Congo.”
About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.
Learn more at worldrelief.org.
To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.
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