1980s
Mercy Prevails
When political turmoil rocked the Philippines during the early 1980s World Relief strengthened church-centered relief efforts. By the decade’s end, more than 10,000 new churches had been established.

In 1984, the world witnessed the horror of famine in Africa. World Relief launched a three-year, $7 million relief program to feed 90,000 malnourished and starving Ethiopians through a church-based delivery system.

When a massive earthquake devastated San Salvador in 1986, World Relief spearheaded efforts to help families recover and rebuild. Together with local churches, we built more than 5,500 homes for families who had lost everything.

World Relief set up health and sanitation programs for Afghan refugees in Pakistan after the Soviet-led invasion of Afghanistan.

1990s
Tumultuous Changes
The 1990s heralded tumultuous change, and humanitarian crises became increasingly complex.

In Somalia, World Relief provided medical supplies, emergency food and clean water. In Liberia, we supported local churches as they ministered to victims of war. In Rwanda, our post-genocide response included reconciliation ministries, trauma counseling, and roofing for widows’ homes.

Amidst horrific ethnic strife in Europe’s Balkans, World Relief distributed medical supplies in Bosnia-Herzegovina, aided thousands of refugees, and launched a microfinance program that has helped promote reconciliation and healing as people trade together.

In the face of yet another famine in Africa – this time in southern Sudan – churches initiated an emergency response followed by development programs in Lietnhom and Pochalla.

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