We work globally for profound change that eradicates the causes of poverty, striving to achieve equality, dignity and freedom for all, regardless of faith or nationality. We are part of a wider movement for social justice.

We provide urgent, practical and effective assistance where need is great, tackling the effects of poverty as well as its root causes.

Our vision

Poverty is an outrage against humanity. It robs people of dignity, freedom and hope, of power over their own lives. Christian Aid has a vision - an end to poverty - and we believe that vision can become a reality.

Our essential purpose

• to expose the scandal of poverty

• to help in practical ways to root it out from the world

• to challenge and change structures and systems that favour the rich and powerful over the poor and marginalised.

Our mandate

We are an agency of our churches in Britain and Ireland and are mandated to work on relief, development and advocacy for poverty eradication. Christian Aid’s work is founded on Christian faith, inspired by hope and acts to change an unjust world through charity – a practical love and care for our neighbours.

Our values

Put human life first
We believe that all people are created equal, with inherent dignity and infinite worth. Individual human needs must always come first, ahead of dogma, ideology or political necessity. We know that each one of us, in all our diversity and varied talents, can make a real difference in the battle to end poverty and injustice.

Struggle for justice
Poverty is a condition created by an unjust society, denying people access to, and control over, the resources they need to live a full life. So we take the side of poor and marginalised people as they struggle to realise their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. We believe in the just and sustainable use of the earth and its resources, so that the greed of one generation will not create poverty for the next.

Speak out courageously
We have a duty to speak out and act with conviction to challenge and change the systems that create poverty. Christian Aid will always remain independent of governments and other powerful institutions. We work to educate and mobilise people from all kinds of backgrounds to build a global movement which can change the course of history.

Test everything against experience
We know that poor people are the true experts on the nature of poverty, and our work is shaped by their voices and concerns. In a spirit of humility, we try to learn from our own mistakes and from the experience of those we work alongside, to improve the impact of our work. We know that lasting solutions can never be imposed on communities from the outside.

Work together with others
All our work is based on the spirit of cooperation and partnership. We help to build a world free from poverty through inter-faith and inter-community dialogue and cooperation. We nurture the talents, commitment and energy of all our supporters, volunteers and staff. Together we uphold a commitment to honesty, mutual respect, accountability and diversity.