356. The Humanitarian Relief Fund

356

The Humanitarian Relief Fund

11 January 2021

The National Spiritual Assembly of
the Bahá’ís of the United States

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

356.1 The Universal House of Justice has received the letter from your Treasurer dated 24 November 2020 in which you seek clarity regarding the most efficient process by which you can contribute financially to assist communities in other countries that have experienced natural disasters. We have been asked to convey the following.

356.2 The House of Justice appreciates that in the wake of a natural disaster in a country, the friends elsewhere in the world would naturally wish to lend their share of assistance to alleviate the suffering. In 2010 the House of Justice established a fund at the Bahá’í World Centre as part of an overall strategy for the Bahá’í community to assist countries that have experienced major natural disasters. The institutions of the Faith and the believers in all parts of the world may direct their contributions to this fund—now referred to as the Humanitarian Relief Fund—at any time and, if they wish, earmark them accordingly if they are intended for a specific country. The Bahá’í International Development Organization is charged with the responsibility for the process of learning in the Bahá’í world about relief, reconstruction, and associated development efforts. It is also responsible for working directly with National Spiritual Assemblies, providing financial assistance from this fund as and when needed, and sharing relevant principles and insights drawn from experience.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

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