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Our groundbreaking work began in 1945, when we were founded by British and Irish churches to help refugees following the Second World War.

For more than 75 years, we have provided humanitarian relief and long-term development support for poor communities worldwide, while highlighting suffering, tackling injustice and championing people’s rights.

1940s

We helped refugees in need at the end of the Second World War. We raised more than £80,000 (£3 million plus in today’s money) for emergency supplies in mainland Europe. We supported, equipped and enabled partner churches there to meet the needs of their people.

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Refugee woman holding baby
Refugee woman holding baby
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Women cross the road carrying a large banner covered in posters with 'help' written on them.
Women cross the road carrying a large banner covered in posters with 'help' written on them.

1950s

We launched Christian Aid Week to raise extra funds. We continued helping refugees in mainland Europe as well as those from Palestine, Korea and China. We supported the establishment of the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) to enable young people to make a difference, and offered help to churches in countries moving from colonialism to independence to meet the needs of poor people.

1960s

We made a difference in crises affecting Nigeria/Biafra, Kenya and India. We created the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) so that development agencies were seen to work together in times of humanitarian crisis. We helped set the World Development Movement to encourage political campaigning. We addressed racism and poverty in the United States as well as advising Martin Luther King while he was in the UK.

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Pop group on the steps of St Martins in the Fields during Christian Aid Week, 1966
 Pop group on the steps of St Martins in the Fields during Christian Aid Week, 1966
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Poster showing wealthy westerners on the left and poor communities overseas on the right
Poster showing wealthy westerners on the left and poor communities overseas on the right

1970s

We drew a link between educating supporters at home about the root causes of poverty and work with partners overseas to eradicate it. We popularised world development issues by providing seed money to establish the New Internationalist magazine. We explained the connection between our consumer culture at home and the global food crisis by launching a campaign to live simply.

1980s

We fed hungry people during the Ethiopian famine and those experiencing drought in Mozambique. We led a mass lobby of parliament to call for more official development aid. We created the Southern African Coalition to demand an end to apartheid.

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Politician Ted Heath presented with 'Restore the Aid Cuts' cheque for £230m from treasurer of World Development Movement group.
Politician Ted Heath presented with 'Restore the Aid Cuts' cheque for £230m from treasurer of World Development Movement group.
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Mother and daughter in the flooded street outside their home in Dhaka, Bangladesh, September 1998
Mother and daughter in the flooded street outside their home in Dhaka, Bangladesh, September 1998

1990s

We linked work in 50 poor countries to campaigns on developing world debt, fair trade and the policies of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. We challenged the stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. We stood up for and provided food for refugees in Kosovo.

2000s

We campaigned to make poverty history during a war against terror. We reached more than 500,000 people with food, shelter and healthcare after the Asian Tsunami. We publicised the fact that developing countries lose more money through the tax evasion practices of large corporations than they receive through official aid.

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Man standing in beach strewn with clothing and remains of destroyed buildings
Man standing in beach strewn with clothing and remains of destroyed buildings
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Elderly man with young girl with water behind them
Elderly man with young girl with water behind them

2010s

We inform about and campaign against climate change. We champion tax justice. We continue to work with local partners on the ground to make a practical difference to the lives of new waves of refugees locally while campaigning and advocating for change globally.

Theodor Davidovic: one refugee's experience

In the camps, it was Christian Aid that sent the parcels…feeding us for two-and-a-half years, and I never forgot it. Christian Aid helped me to survive and I feel I owe my life to Christian Aid. I vowed there and then to do my best as long as I live, and I’m still doing it

- Theodor Davidovic, Refugee and long-term Christian Aid supporter.

All images Christian Aid, except 1990s: Christian Aid/Mike Goldwater and 2010s: Sahar Zafar.