Operation Blessing

Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corporation (OB) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization founded in the United States. Beginning in 1978, OBI has worked in more than 90 countries and every state. Implementing programs that provide disaster relief, medical aid, clean water, hunger relief, community development and orphan care, Operation Blessing is governed by a national board of directors.

History

Founded on November 14, 1978 by businessman and televangelist Pat Robertson, Operation Blessing was originally set up to help struggling individuals and families by matching their needs for items such as clothing, appliances, and vehicles with donated items from viewers of ''The 700 Club'', Robertson's daily television program. Coordinating with local churches and other organizations, OBI expanded their matching funds program to also include food provisions and financial assistance for low-income families. In 1990, Operation Blessing began moving from individual assistance to helping fund outreach centers across the U.S. who provide a broad, community impact through their partnerships with local ministries, food pantries, and shelters. Internationally, OBI continued to expand its medical, hunger and disaster relief efforts and, in 1986, Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corporation was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Activities

According to the organization's official website, Operation Blessing's mission statement is "...to demonstrate God's love by alleviating human need and suffering in the United States and around the world." Operation Blessing operates on an ongoing basis in dozens of countries around the world, implementing programs that provide strategic disaster relief, medical aid, hunger relief, clean water and community development.

Disaster relief

Specializing in disaster relief, Operation Blessing has most recently been involved in domestic relief work for victims of severe flooding in Nebraska, tornadoes in Alabama, and Hurricanes Michael and Florence in Florida and North Carolina. Internationally, Operation Blessing is helping victims of the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and Cyclone Idai victims in East Africa.

In the wake of a devastating outbreak of the Zika virus in Latin America and the Caribbean, Operation Blessing employed juvenile turtles, fish and copepods to eat mosquito larvae before the insects can spread the virus. Operation Blessing is also fighting the spread of Zika through education, mosquito nets and insect repellent to protect the most vulnerable, especially pregnant women and their unborn children.

Operation Blessing also provided relief during the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, and following the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the 2013 Moore tornado in Oklahoma and the tornado outbreak of November 17, 2013 in Illinois, Hurricanes Sandy and Isaac, the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami; the 2011 Horn of Africa famine; 2011 tornadoes in Virginia, Alabama, and Missouri; the 2010-2011 Haiti cholera outbreak; and the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Additionally, Operation Blessing funded relief and recovery efforts in response to war torn Iraq, Syria, Israel, South Sudan, Mali, Somalia, and Lebanon;

Previously, Operation Blessing also aided disaster victims in the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake (Indonesian tsunami), as well as recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina; and the Niger

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