Often while traveling, strangers see the OBI logo on my shirt and ask, “What does Operation Blessing do?” It’s hard to boil that down, but I usually respond by saying something like this, “We are a Christian humanitarian charity working in six main areas: Disaster relief, safe water, medical outreach, food security, job creation and programs for vulnerable children.”
As you review the Top Highlights of 2013 in the December issue of Blessings, you will see disaster relief mentioned in nine of the 12 stories. The reason for that is that disaster victims require relief that fits most of our core competencies. In most disasters, victims are in immediate need of safe water, food, medical attention and special care for children. In addition, when the smoke clears, we help with long-term economic recovery. Every disaster requires a customized strategy, but common threads of human need are woven into the tapestry of each victim’s suffering.
No matter where the disaster happens, your support makes it possible for us to respond quickly. In the U.S., we have resources and equipment poised in Virginia, Florida and Texas and can be at the scene in 12 to 24 hours. In Latin America, we have operations in Mexico, Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru—all with trained teams ready to go. And in Asia, seasoned disaster relief teams in India, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan are poised and ready to respond.
Having resources in so many places gives us a huge potential footprint, but it takes your help to launch efforts. In an increasing number of cases, foreign governments and local corporations see the effect of our early efforts and then contribute cash, medicine and supplies so that we can do more.
But it all starts with you. Thank you for your faithful support that makes it possible for us to mobilize the closest OBI team and launch sustainable disaster relief efforts, often on the same day the disaster strikes.
