In 1959, The Primate’s World Relief Fund was established by the Anglican General Synod. In 1969, the name of the organization was officially changed to The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund. This Fund came into existence as a result of a terrible human tragedy in Canadian history. In 1958, in Springhill, Nova Scotia, there was an underground explosion in a coal mine, 174 men were in the mine when it collapsed, and 75 died as a result of the disaster. The tragedy moved Anglicans and other Canadians to respond with assistance for the stricken families. As a result of this experience, the church recognized the need for an efficient process to channel assistance quickly in situations of emergency. PWRDF’s vision of a truly just, healthy, and peaceful world is one that can only be accomplished by bringing about change in the lives of everyone involved in its work.
Every year PWRDF responds to emergencies in Canada and around the world. Primarily, we allocate grants to appeals issued by the ACT Alliance, of which we are a member. ACT Alliance is an organization of 140 international Christian organizations working in areas of high need. When disaster happens, ACT is able to contact one of its members already in place and quickly get them funds for immediate necessities of life, such as water, sanitation, food and shelter. PWRDF also works with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank in this same capacity.
In addition to emergencies that arise, The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is the Anglican Church of Canada’s agency for sustainable development and relief. With the support of Anglicans across Canada, PWRDF partners with organizations working to increase healthy pregnancies and births, reduce gender inequality, relieve hunger and break the cycle of poverty in the world’s most vulnerable communities. Against a backdrop of climate change, PWRDF strives to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
St. Thomas is an active contributor to PWRDF with congregation members donating monthly. These donations have at times been specified for emergencies such as the Fort McMurray Wildfires, the South Sudan Famine and Drought Emergency, Dorian Hurricane Relief Fund and Covid 19 Response, Ukraine Relief and Hurricane Fiona. In many instances these donations qualify for matching Government of Canada funds. These donations also support Programs around the world as listed below.
PWRDF – 2023 January – March donations: $990
Donations of $$990 were sent to Maison Dorcas House in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Maison Dorcas is a place where women recover and find new life after being traumatized by sexual or gender-based violence. Maison Dorcas is part of the Panzi Foundation, established in 2008 by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Denis Mukwege in South Kivu, where the rate of sexual and gender-based violence is the third highest among 25 provinces of the DRC.
PWRDF – 2022: Total of $7,945.00
January – March: Donations of $660 were directed to Afghanistan for humanitarian and cash assistance to vulnerable households with women and children given priority. $2,240.00 was also donated to Ukraine Relief.
April – June: Donations of $905 were directed to Tigray, Ethiopia to support safe water, sanitation and hygiene for the most vulnerable.
July – September: Donations of $495 were directed to the Pakistan Flood Relief to meet feed needs for families in affected areas.
October – December: Donations of $1,490.00 directed to Hurricane Fiona Relief Fund.
Grow Hope donations: $985 – Funds were directed to the PWRDF fund in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and were then directed to Food Relief in Kenya to offset the severe effects of drought.
World of Gifts – $1,170
If you are interested in donating please contact St. Thomas through our email at stthomas131@gmail.com.