In December 2004 we received a mandate to establish a new African-based and Global-reaching organisation that would accelerate disaster and development aid among the poor beginning immediately from Sub-Saharan Africa and onward to the rest of the world. This mandate gave birth to Global Relief & Development Mission abbreviated Global Relief.

After wide consultations with friends and development experts in Nigeria and other African countries, and with the support and encouragement of key Christian leaders (though not without scepticism that emergency relief was DOABLE by Africans…), we set out by faith to act with the poor in disaster and development aid hoping to someday realise our vision of becoming a capable and compassion driven global Mission thoroughly prepared for, and committed to accelerating poverty reduction, emergency relief and sustainable development in poor communities. We were set for Action with the poor.

Some driving questions have been; who cares about the poor and their poverty? Is there any mandate power or legitimacy for acting with, and on behalf of the poor? Who should care for the poor? Governments, development partners, Religious faithfuls…who? An understanding of the Mandate for action with the poor is important for unleashing resources and skills towards the transformation of poor communities. To work with a mandate is to be entrusted with RESPONSIBILITY and AUTHORITY to pursue a task that brings lasting transformation. God has entrusted Christ, the Church and society, a mandate to stop poverty and its ill consequences. Global Relief works with this mandate power.

Since 2004, in spite limited resources and moments of great challenges to its mandate, Global Relief has experienced the awesome ability of God to move us towards achieving our vision of transforming the poor. Looking back, we are encouraged at all that has happened:

The GAP I project (Global Action Project I) has… focused on Nigeria’s sub-Saharan African neighbours bringing development aid to Niger, Mali and Chad. Volunteer professionals have been mobilised and placed to work short term in development education, food security, food distribution, medical outreaches and water supply.

GAP II (Global Action Project II) has also concentrated efforts on poor communities in Nigeria, addressing safe water supply and water borne diseases. Global Relief GRIPP (Global Relief Integrated Poverty-reduction Program) is addressing problems of unemployment by strengthening entrepreneurial capacities of occupational groups through skill gaps trainings and micro – finance development. Our TDT ( Transformational Development Training) continues to bring empower churches to respond in development and disaster aid. Through Global Alert, prayers are mobilised for Global Relief and selected communities in dire need of development aid. Local and international volunteers have been engaged in a variety of development projects through GRVS (Global Relief Volunteer Service), and of course right in your hands is Aidfrontiers, our disaster & development advocacy bulletin and newsletter.

While carrying on its disaster and development interventions, Global Relief continues to strengthen its management and credibility through board of governors and trustees meetings, management staff trainings, strategic plan development, resource mobilisation and strategic partnerships and associations. We are thankful for the rich cream of men and women on the boards of Trustees and Governors, State and country facilitators, staff and volunteers. Looking forward to making a difference in disaster and development aid in the years ahead. (Culled from Aidfrontiers; an advocacy bulletin & Newsletter of Global Relief)