About Emergency Response

1. What is the United Church's Emergency Response Fund?

The United Church of Canada's Emergency Response Fund (ERF) is used to help alleviate the effects of humanitarian crises caused by nature, humans, or a combination of both. Usually these responses are short- or intermediate-term in nature. However, the ERF is also used in support of longer-term rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. Each year the ERF is replenished with funds from the unified Mission and Service Fund (currently $130,000/year).

In addition, the ERF is replenished with a percentage of "supragift" monies received. (Supragifts are donations made by United Church members or others that are above and beyond the Mission and Service Fund. They cannot be counted as Mission and Service Fund credits but are eligible for tax receipts.) Eighty-five (85) percent of supragifts received and intended for disaster relief are deposited in the fund and allocated as designated by the donor, while fifteen (15) percent of the same supragift donations are retained and used to maintain the ERF. The 15 percent deduction helps to strengthen the United Church's capacity to respond to disasters in countries where we have partners but that do not receive much, if any, media attention.

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2. When and why is an appeal launched?

In the event of an extraordinary natural or human-made disaster, The United Church can issue an appeal to its members to contribute funds for disaster mitigation over and above Mission and Service (M&S) givings. Donations received are considered "supragifts" and do not qualify for M&S credits. The decision to issue an appeal is made by an inter-unit committee, in accordance with an Emergency Response Protocol and in consultation with senior United Church leaders. Appeals may also include various kinds of advocacy actions.

Recent examples of emergency appeals have included Beads of Hope (2002-2004) and the Haiti and Pakistan Appeals (2010).

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3. What is the cost of administration in emergency response?

The United Church has an emergency response officer at 30 percent of a full-time position. Other costs include administrative support, area staff, financial services, communication, education, and resource production (including website updates).These costs are covered by the Mission and Service Fund. In the case of projects co-financed by the Canadian International Development Agency* (CIDA) through matching funds, the budget includes an allocation for monitoring and reporting. When members donate to a particular disaster, no administration fee is levied. 100 percent of donations are allocated to emergency relief and reconstruction.

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4. How does The United Church of Canada do relief work?

Some Canadian denominations maintain separately incorporated, specialized ministries that are dedicated to relief and development (e.g., Presbyterian World Service and Development). The United Church, however, does not have a separate relief and development wing and engages in emergency relief work in a limited and indirect way only, through support of others directly engaged in such work. When a major disaster occurs, The United Church of Canada can respond in one or more of the following ways:

1. We respond to appeals for financial support for disaster mitigation issued by ACT Alliance.
2. We respond to requests from global partners who are doing disaster relief work in their localities or regions.
3. As a member of Canadian Foodgrains Bank* (CFGB), we allocate United Church member equity held in trust by the bank for food aid (often purchased locally in the affected region) and food security responses that often involve United Church partners. Learn more about United Church involvement with CFGB.

5. What happens when the United Church receives supragifts for an area where we have no direct partners?

Supragifts are always routed to their intended location. In the case of a disaster in an area where we have no direct partners, such as the 2003 earthquake in Bam, Iran, the funds can often be sent through ACT Alliance. Another option is through a regional council of churches or a regional network partner, such as the Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN) in Thailand.

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6. How do we know how grants are spent?

When our partners request funds, they send proposals to explain their work and why the funds are needed. Requests usually include a budget as well as a description. Thereafter, they report on the activities, challenges, and achievements. Achievements may include intangible that are nevertheless outcomes of the program, such as empowerment or improved health. Because we are in a partner relationship, contact with partners is regular and may be through e-mail, correspondence, reports, or visits. Larger projects include reporting guidelines.

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7. How does The United Church decide which partners and projects to support? What criteria for selection does it use?

In the case of a disaster, our first contact is with our partners in the area. They tell us whether they have the capacity or need to be involved in the response. Their assessment of the situation and how their skills and strengths are appropriate is what they use as the basis of a proposal. We would not wish partners to feel pressured to do relief work or reconstruction. Partners themselves decide how far they might expand their workload, but we support the use of their strengths and skills in disaster recovery projects. This support may range from providing relief packages to training on disaster management or supporting an advocacy campaign for proper compensation. Our partners already work with the most marginalized and discriminated against, and it is to these groups that their response is targeted.