Press Release

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
June 17, 2020

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734

BALTIMORE – This week, World Relief is marking World Refugee Day 2020, which is annually commemorated on June 20, with a number of activities, including the launch of an online Facebook Live event called, “Creating Welcome with Story,” on Wednesday, June 17 at 4 p.m. EST. This conversation will dig into the challenges of immigrants and Biblical teaching through the stories of four women. Additionally, on Thursday, June 18, World Relief’s three offices in California are joining together to celebrate an evening of storytelling and commemorate the importance of refugees in their respective communities. Finally, World Relief is appealing to the administration to increase the refugee ceiling in FY 2021 to 100,000.

As the U.S. continues to fight the novel coronavirus, refugees and other immigrants are at the front lines continuing to serve our communities. Refugees and immigrants make up one in four health care workers, one in five workers in the U.S. food sector and over a quarter of the workers in both the food processing and agriculture industries. The Facebook Live event World Relief is hosting, which will include panelists Jo Saxton, author, speaker, podcast host and leadership coach; Adriana Mondragon-Hill, marriage and family therapist; Roza Rudeychuk, resettlement manager at World Relief Sacramento; and Jenny Yang, vice president of advocacy and policy at World Relief, will also discuss the impact that COVID-19 has had on immigrant communities in particular and how the local church can respond through welcome. At a time of increased racial tensions in the U.S., World Relief believes honest, personal conversations about welcome and inclusion can help equip the church to respond to those who are often marginalized with compassion and justice.

“While many have had the privilege to hunker down behind their laptops at home to wait out the virus, many foreign-born women and men continued to go to work to keep the food supply chain running, provide medical treatment, care for the elderly, enforce the laws and perform countless other essential jobs,” commented Tim Breene, World Relief CEO. “For all the decades World Relief has worked with refugees and immigrants, we continue to be humbled by the ways that these women and men who have lived through incredible hardship choose to lay down their lives for others through daily sacrifices.”

The combination of the virus with shocks like famine and locusts in sub-Saharan Africa is threatening already vulnerable populations. With historic numbers of those forcibly displaced at 70 million, the impact of COVID-19 will continue to devastate large portions of the world that are already struggling with extreme poverty and hunger.

“The need around the world is only going to continue growing,” said Scott Arbeiter, president of World Relief, “and the U.S. is well-positioned to answer that call. As public health considerations allow, we strongly exhort the administration to open the doors to admit refugees in numbers proportionate to the need. We believe that as a nation we can’t afford to turn away these individuals and families for whom we can offer a safe haven, not only for the economic and societal benefits that a diverse workforce brings, but for the fundamental reason that we are called to love others as Christ first loved us.”

For more information about World Relief’s refugee resettlement and other services, please visit worldrelief.org.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

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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.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
June 3, 2020

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734

BALTIMORE – World Relief has worked for over 75 years in the U.S. and in 100 countries throughout the world to stand with vulnerable people of every background. Today, we stand grieving in the face of the effects of the racial injustices that have, for too long, plagued our own nation.

Sadly, racism is not new, but we have been reminded in the last few weeks of the tragic effects it has on society and culture. We are grieved by the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, and our hearts cry out for their families and the families of the many others brutally killed, the latest of many victims in a society that continues to be marred by systemic racism.

We are grieved for our own staff as well as those whom we have served, including many refugees and other immigrants, who have experienced racism firsthand. The Bible is unequivocal when it comes to human dignity before God. We stand with nonviolent protesters to decry the evil of racism wherever it may exist.

As an organization and as individuals, we call on the church body around the world to condemn racism in all its forms, to repent for its silence, stand up for biblical justice, and renew our calling to minister and stand with the vulnerable, oppressed and hurting among us. Specifically, we acknowledge that the white church in the United States (of which many of us are a part) has too often sanctified and supported institutional racism and we repent of our complicity.

We celebrate and stand in solidarity with the many thousands of people bringing their voice of protest by peaceful means across the country, even as we decry those who have done so with violence. And while the administration’s call for restoring law and order is on the surface valid, we passionately disagree with the way it is both threatened (via military force) and carried out. World Relief CEO Tim Breene adds; “Without an equal and enduring commitment to address the systemic racism and injustice thrown into stark relief by the coronavirus epidemic and the brutal killing of George Floyd, and without a commitment to reconsider policies and positions that continue to further oppress marginalized communities in America, these actions will only continue to divide us as a nation.”

For our part, we at World Relief resolve to listen to and elevate the voices of the marginalized and to advocate for policies that seek justice for those who are particularly vulnerable in the U.S. and around the world.

We ask God to teach us how to live out these values at World Relief in ways that are ever more true to His calling and to His heart.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

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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.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

May 20, 2020

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
lauren.carl@pinkston.co
(703) 388-6734

BALTIMORE – On Wednesday, May 20, 2020, World Relief, a Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to respond to disasters and alleviate poverty worldwide, hosted a live press call on how the global COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating food insecurity in developing countries, particularly those in Africa, and ways to respond.

The press call included an on-the-ground perspective on the spread of COVID-19 from World Relief food security experts; background on the underlying conditions exacerbating the pandemic in developing countries; and the programs that World Relief has in place to prevent and address the crisis and food shortages.

“We’re looking at what is emerging to be one of the greatest humanitarian disaster in recent history,” said Myal Greene, SVP of International Programs. “Much of the world has felt the severity of COVID-19, but [we’re] recognizing that the potential medical emergency, as well as food scarcity in Africa and other countries, is really significant. The World Food Programme says the number of people who are pushed into starvation could double. In a crisis like this, it’s essential we think of both individual agencies’ ability to respond and the support of international governments. This is why we believe it’s essential the $12 billion in aid in the latest U.S. response to [the novel] coronavirus pass Congress.”

“Even before this virus, the hunger needs in Sudan, South Sudan and the DR Congo were huge. There are 80 million people in Congo, 40 million in Sudan and 11 million in South Sudan. In Congo, half of the country has food needs, [with similar needs] in the other countries.” said Charles Franzén, Humanitarian and Disaster Response Director.  “The major thing to look at in these three countries is the conflict that’s taken place in the past and the result of the very serious civil wars – [all of] that has exacerbated the food needs there. The virus makes this situation much worse. World Relief is providing food and nutritional assistance to about 200,000 people in Sudan [and] 150,000 in the Congo. In South Sudan, we’re reaching out with agricultural seeds and tools and providing food assistance and meeting life-saving needs for about 130,000 people.”

Franzén continued, “We also have a huge youth population in Africa; 75% of the population is below the age of fifteen. We need to provide food for schools, educational programs and lactating mothers. We can’t forget our neighbors in other parts of the world as well.”

“Here in Kenya, the impact of COVID-19 is already being felt,” said Elias M. Kamau, Country Director for Kenya at World Relief.  “What we are seeing here is this huge humanitarian need in the area of food, brought about by COVID-19. We are working in the very northwestern corner of Kenya and southern Kenya – which normally has food insecurities, but COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem. About 14.5 million  Kenyans (a third of the population) are very food insecure and in need of food support every year, and now COVID-19 is adding to that strain.”

Kamau continued: “The government has been active in placing measures to prevent expansion of COVID-19. Some of those measures are leading to the problem of food insecurities. We have lockdowns in Nairobi, Mombasa and other areas.  [Since] about 84% of our people are in the informal sector, when they’re not allowed to step outside, they’re not able to create income, [and] then they can’t purchase food. Scarcity has driven up prices of staple foods like maize, making it difficult for people to access it. If the imports don’t pick up, eastern Kenya could face food shortages of 50,000-60,000 tons.”

To learn more about how World Relief is responding to COVID-19, visit: https://worldrelief.org/covid-19. View a recording of the call here.

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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.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
April 23, 2020

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734

BALTIMORE – In response to President Trump’s announcement via Twitter and subsequent executive order halting immigration in the light of the COVID-19 crisis, World Relief urges the administration to reconsider. These measures to shut down already restricted travel – temporarily halting most categories of immigrant visas for those coming from outside of the U.S., with limited exceptions – are inconsistent with expert health advice, disregard immigrant contributions to frontline efforts and are contrary to the U.S.’s role in demonstrating leadership in managing the disease and opening the country up for work.

“Temporary travel restrictions are appropriate if driven by public health best practices,” commented World Relief President Scott Arbeiter. “But as the country slowly emerges from the COVID-19 shutdown, we must not use the pandemic as a pretext to restrict legal immigration that is essential for rebuilding our economy and for reuniting families.”

Every individual granted an immigrant visa is already required to undergo a thorough medical examination to ensure they do not have any contagious disease before being allowed to enter the U.S., so there is no reason to think that the immigrants who will be restricted under this new order would pose a public health threat.

The administration has also cited economic concerns as a rationale for this new order, but the vast majority of economists believe that immigration is actually a source of economic strength. Immigrants do not only “take jobs,” they also add to the economic pie through their consumption and through entrepreneurship, starting new businesses and creating jobs at higher rates than native-born U.S. citizens.

Refugees and individuals who served the U.S. military who qualify for Special Immigrant Visas are specifically exempted from this order, for which World Relief is grateful. However, the U.S. refugee resettlement program remains on hold. World Relief urges the refugee resettlement program to be reopened, allowing refugees to be reunited with their family members already in the U.S.

World Relief CEO Tim Breene said, “We have long affirmed that families are the building blocks of society, and the current crisis has underscored for many Americans the importance of family. Because the primary impact of this executive order is to restrict family-based immigration, it represents a new form of family separation, penalizing families that have already paid visa petition fees and waited for months, years or, in some cases, decades in our family reunification system. This is unacceptable.”

World Relief is supportive of the administration’s efforts to manage and prevent the further spread of COVID-19, but urges the government to reconsider measures that contradict both public health advice and the principles on which the U.S. is formed.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

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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.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
April 22, 2020

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734

The Impact of COVID-19 in Developing Countries and Ways to Respond

Global Humanitarian Organization World Relief Hosts Press Call on COVID-19

BALTIMORE – On Wednesday, April 22, 2020, World Relief, a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty and respond to disasters worldwide, hosted a live press call on how COVID-19 is impacting developing countries, particularly in Africa, and ways to respond. For over 75 years, World Relief has partnered with community leaders around the world to help with disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, health issues and mass displacement.

As the first cases of COVID-19 are now being reported in parts of Africa, the international community needs to continue to partner with and provide support to people on the ground there in response. The call covered World Relief’s work and the need for more international humanitarian assistance to help respond to COVID-19.

“This is one of the greatest global humanitarian challenges we’ve ever known. While we are currently working through our extensive, on-the-ground networks to respond to COVID-19, we have ongoing concerns about the potentially devastating impact this virus will have on developing countries that often don’t have the resources or capacity to respond fully,” said Myal Greene, SVP of International Programs. “We are asking that as Congress considers a fourth stimulus package, that it includes robust funding for international humanitarian assistance and continues to partner with organizations with extensive networks on the ground that can be critical in an effective public health response.”

Joanna Kretzer Chun, Director of the Program Resource Team, commented“Through our work, we’ve seen the impact that grassroots networks can have to spread critical messages and save lives. These networks will be critical in the months ahead to ensure that COVID-19 does not spread and that those who are sick are cared for appropriately.”

Gibson Nkanaunena, Malawi Country Director and Deputy Director for East & Southern Africa, provided information on the state of Malawi and how COVID-19 is impacting the country and other areas, such as Rwanda and Kenya. He commented: “Currently in Malawi there are a few cases of COVID-19 identified. However, there could be more, but there are not enough tests being done. So far World Relief has given forty churches handwashing buckets with soap as a startup kit, and we are planning to reach out to households with public health messages through church networks across all impacted districts. Currently, we have 30,000 volunteers across the districts that we work in who are ready to share the message with close to one million in a population of 17.44 million.”

“The health care systems in these countries are completely unprepared and incapable of mounting a reasonable clinical response of anything comparable to the U.S. response,” said Charles Franzén, Humanitarian and Disaster Response Director. “There will continue to be significant health challenges especially around the capacity of health clinics, and we anticipate an acute challenge around food security and food supplies as well. In addition, there are a lot of issues with trust and stigma, and so working with trusted leaders has been critical. All of our country’s programs have begun responding to COVID-19, and we’ve seen the impact that grass roots have on spreading messages and bringing resources. We’ve also seen the importance of home-based care and are helping to provide teaching and resources as many people can’t make it to clinics or hospitals. But we cannot emphasize the importance of testing enough as a key to control.”

To learn more about how World Relief is responding to COVID-19, visit: https://worldrelief.org/covid-19

Download the PDF version of this press release.

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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.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
March 8, 2020

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734

World Relief Celebrates International Women’s Day, Announces New Organizational Oversight Board Gender Ratio
Global humanitarian organization honors the women and girls served in 2019 and sets future standards high

BALTIMORE – This International Women’s Day, World Relief recognizes the women and girls served through various programming throughout the world and maintains that the goal of achieving “Each for Equal” doesn’t need to be a future eventuality, but today’s reality. To that end, World Relief is renewing our commitment to elevating women by announcing that we have welcomed a 75% increase in the number of women participating in our board, which is now 45% female. Additionally, World Relief is excited to announce the appointment of World Relief Burundi’s first female country director, Cesalie Nicimpaye.

“We often forget in our quest for gender equality around the world that improvement starts at home,” commented World Relief Director of Program Resources Joanna Kretzer Chun. “As the great-granddaughter of a child bride in the U.S., I’ve personally seen the transformation that can take place and the opportunities that can be generated in a few short generations. I’m constantly inspired when I get to witness firsthand the change that comes about when a woman is seen, heard, trusted and empowered to make a difference in her community – and I get to partner with some of the most committed and sacrificial women and men who are equally committed to this kind of transformation.”

 In addition to this renewed standard, World Relief is rolling out gender equality training for all international programs staff. The fruits of this is already evident; over the last year, World Relief piloted a Bible study with the Rwandan staff designed to help participants break free from damaging cultural norms and behaviors and empower women to take more leadership roles. Additionally, at World Relief’s annual international leadership gathering at the beginning of the year, intentional efforts were made by each program and country office to invite emerging female leaders, and as a result the overall female participation rate was 50%. This time was also dedicated to prayerfully evaluating the organization’s own policies and standards across its international teams.

Throughout 2019, World Relief partnered with churches around the world to serve over 5 million people. Of that, approximately 80% of the organization’s beneficiaries are women and children. These are just a few of the exciting projects that directly benefit women and girls:

• In Rwanda, 1,764 women were trained by 20 World Relief-trained volunteers on women’s rights, gender equality, hygiene and nutrition.

• Around the world in FY19, World Relief supervised 2,827 Savings for Life groups with a collective 64,310 members. On average across all countries, 75% of participants are women.

• In Burundi alone, 2,167 couples were impacted by Families for Life programming which focuses on strengthening marriages by improving communication, empowering women and promoting healthy families.

• In the U.S., World Relief resettled 1,570 women and girls through the refugee resettlement program in FY19.

World Relief President Scott Arbeiter said, “We believe the life of each human being to be incredibly precious, and it breaks our hearts when any woman or girl is held back from living fully into her God-given potential. Whether through our Families for Life programming, refugee resettlement, Church Empowerment Zone (CEZ) work, anti-human trafficking efforts or church partnerships with any of the above, we are stepping into 2020, expectant to see the Lord make the path clear for more and more women and girls to experience greater degrees of flourishing than ever before.”

 To learn more about World Relief’s work to empower women and girls, visit https://worldrelief.org/women.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

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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***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
March 2, 2020

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734

World Relief North Texas Reveals New Name, Expanded Footprint

FORT WORTH, Texas – Today, World Relief’s office in Texas announced a new name: World Relief North Texas. Formerly known as World Relief Fort Worth, the organization has had a presence in Texas for the last 40 years, welcoming and resettling refugees and providing a variety of services to asylum seekers and other immigrants. In the last nearly 20 years, 88,572 refugees have been resettled in the state, of which many have been persecuted for their faith, their service to the U.S. military abroad or for peacefully advocating for human rights.

“World Relief’s presence and work in Texas has never been limited to Fort Worth,” commented office director Troy Greisen. “It was past time to name what has been true for years; World Relief North Texas’ work extends to many corners of the great state. We have been privileged for many years to serve the newest members of many communities in Texas, and we look forward to continuing the good work being done in partnership with volunteers and churches to welcome and resettle refugees, asylum seekers and other immigrants.”

Since opening in 1980, World Relief has welcomed over 12,000 refugees to North Texas in addition to serving other immigrants who did not originally arrive in the U.S. as refugees. Today, World Relief North Texas offers –  in addition to welcoming and resettling refugees – case management, financial education,  job training and placement services, ESOL training, youth sports opportunities, food distribution and other services. These services are offered in partnership with local churches and volunteers. 

World Relief President Scott Arbeiter said, “We are grateful to have had the opportunity and privilege for so many years to serve individuals and families arriving for the first time in Texas. We believe that updating the name to reflect the scope of work honors the efforts being accomplished and positions World Relief in Texas to continue to be the hands and feet of Christ to those arriving in Texas.”

To learn more about World Relief’s work in Texas visit www.worldreliefnorthtexas.org

Download the PDF version of this press release.

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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***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
February 25, 2020

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734

World Relief Celebrates A Moment of Hope for South Sudan As Government Unites
South Sudan signs deal for a unity government, ending civil war

BALTIMORE – On Saturday, February 22, South Sudan’s two rivals, President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, made a peace deal aimed at ending the six years of civil war. To seal the peace deal, former South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar was sworn in as First Vice President of South Sudan.

The civil war, which began in 2013 between Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), has killed about 400,000 people and displaced millions. According to OCHA, in South Sudan, 80% of the people live below the poverty line, and of its 11.7 million people, 4.5 million are displaced and 7.2 million are in need of help.

“Over the years the world and media have turned a blind eye to the horrific conflict in South Sudan,” said World Relief President Scott Arbeiter. “This is a moment of hope in the nation, and we ask that you join us in praying for the Unity Government, the United Nation and the many NGOs on the ground, including World Relief.”

Since 1998, World Relief’s programs in South Sudan have been providing humanitarian assistance in the areas of healthcare, food security and other lifesaving activities. In the Greater Upper Nile region, World Relief is responding to the recent conflict and displacement with emergency health, nutrition and education programs while also distributing agricultural inputs and training sessions aimed at reversing the cycle of food aid dependency. In the more stable Western Equatoria State, World Relief is empowering local churches to serve their communities while promoting agricultural training sessions and savings groups. 

“It will take years, even decades to return to the high hopes of independence in 2011, but the suffering has been so great, perhaps now there is a way forward,” added World Relief CEO Tim Breene.

 This is a new beginning in South Sudan, and World Relief is asking for others to join them in prayer and to consider partnering with their work in South Sudan.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

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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