Christian Service

Christian Humanitarian Organizations

Christian humanitarian organizations work for human dignity across the world: clean water, health care, education, food security, and justice for the poor and oppressed. Where relief is the emergency response, humanitarian work is the long, patient labour of helping communities flourish. If you are in need, many serve freely; if you want to help, they welcome partners.

If you need help first

Find help near you now

If you or your family need food, shelter, or care right now, reach for help without delay. In the United States, these free resources are a good place to start.

• Dial 211 or visit 211.org. Run by United Way, 211 connects you to local food, housing, rent, utility, and other assistance. It is free and available across most of the United States, day and night.
• findhelp.org. A free search for local aid by ZIP code, food, housing, money, clothing, health, and more.

See more free ways to find help near you, gathered in one place.

What humanitarian work is

Humanitarian work aims at the whole person and the whole community over time: wells that keep flowing, clinics that keep healing, schools that keep teaching, and advocacy that defends the vulnerable. Christian humanitarian organizations do this in Jesus’ name, usually serving everyone regardless of faith.

Well-known Christian humanitarian organizations include:

• World Vision. One of the largest Christian humanitarian organizations, working in child welfare, clean water, health, and economic development worldwide.
• Compassion International. Focuses on releasing children from poverty through local churches, education, and health care.
• Catholic Relief Services. Carries out long-term development and humanitarian programs in more than 100 countries.
• Tearfund. A Christian relief and development organization, based in the United Kingdom, working through local churches in the world's poorest communities.
• World Relief. Partners with local churches in disaster response, refugee resettlement, and community development.

These organizations are named for information only. Details are accurate to the best of our knowledge, but they may change; please confirm on each group’s own website. Being listed here is not an endorsement, and none of these organizations are affiliated with The Living Bread.

How to get involved

You can sponsor a child, fund clean-water or health projects, advocate for the vulnerable, or give monthly so this patient work stays funded. Some organizations also send skilled volunteers, medical, engineering, teaching, for longer assignments.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between relief and humanitarian work?

Relief is emergency aid right after a disaster; humanitarian and development work is the longer effort to build lasting well-being, clean water, health, education, and justice, so communities can flourish over time. Many organizations do both.

What are examples of Christian humanitarian organizations?

World Vision, Compassion International, Catholic Relief Services, Tearfund, and World Relief are well-known examples. They are named here factually and are not affiliated with The Living Bread.

Do Christian humanitarian organizations help everyone?

Most serve people in need regardless of their religion, following Jesus' teaching to love one's neighbour. Aid is generally offered without any requirement to convert.