Christian Aid is the official relief, development and advocacy agency of 41 Sponsoring Churches in Britain and Ireland, including the Church of England.
The British and Irish churches set up Christian Aid so that they, and others, could help refugees in the aftermath of the Second World War and ‘respond to Christ’s command to care for all in need’.
Christian Aid is accountable and answerable to these churches. The churches work with Christian Aid locally, regionally and nationally.
The Sponsoring Churches appoint board members, who are trustees of the vision, values and purpose of Christian Aid – to end poverty and ‘relieve or combat malnutrition, hunger, disease, sickness or distress throughout the world’.
Christian Aid has always been an important part of local ecumenism in the UK. Churches have come together to support the work of Christian Aid - and have grown closer as a result. This began with the now famous street collections, but has also included important campaigning work.
