The Evangelical Right & Aid Relief in Fragile Nations

We examined 1,800 blogs and websites of various groups and sub-groups across the United States, Canada and UK. The majority of the evangelical aid groups (78%) come from the United States with the remainder split between Canada (15%) and the UK (7%).

In looking at Haiti, we noted there is little to no recognition of the aid efforts of these groups there by UNOCHA, US, Canadian or British governments. Yet by our estimates these evangelical NPO’s may represent anywhere between 20% to 35% of the relief efforts. These groups also report their accomplishments in Haiti and other countries where they are active. US and Canadian evangelical aid groups tend to focus on Latin American countries and the Caribbean, whereas as UK-based groups are active in Eastern Europe and the Indian sub-continent.

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We suspect that due to their religious affiliation, they tend to be less recognized by agencies like the UN or donor nation funded NPO’s and NGO’s. This is an anecdotal theory only vaguely supported through our research and experience. It is a difficult situation for the UN or similar governmental organizations since this then indicates support for religiously affiliated groups and can lead to host nation conflicts or security threats and diplomatic issues.

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As well, evangelical groups tend to focus on orphanages, water delivery and often include the building of a community centre that will often double as a church (noted from projects listed on blogs and websites.) One may speculate the intended outcome of these projects is to no doubt, improve living conditions (and they do, successfully), but also as recruitment opportunities.

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We do not argue that this is either right or wrong. But such activities by these groups shows they are well organized and highly effective in delivering aid. Projects tend to be very focused and well-funded through church members in the country of origin.

All of this then raises several questions; 1) Should religious groups delivering aid be more officially recognised by the UN or similar governmental agencies? 2) If so, are they then eligible to receive added funding? 3) What are the implications of moves like this?

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Social media technologies offer a unique opportunity to monitor and understand the activities of these groups, their key messaging objectives and where they are delivering aid – certainly information that could better aid organizations like the UN in understanding where aid is being delivered since these organizations rarely tend to engage in communication with the UN or donor governments, except indirectly.