Episcopal Relief Receives $8M Grant to Combat Violence in Africa

The Episcopal Church’s New Initiative to Combat Violence in Africa

With a significant financial boost, an Episcopal Church charity is set to expand its impactful efforts across Africa. This initiative aims to address the urgent issue of violence against women and girls in several challenging-to-reach areas, potentially touching the lives of half a million individuals through validated strategies and interventions.

Amidst a growing crisis of sexual and gender-based violence, Episcopal Relief & Development announced the receipt of an $8 million grant from The Laura Ellen and Robert Muglia Family Foundation. This four-year grant will focus on five African nations: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Liberia, and South Sudan.

Abagail Nelson, an executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Episcopal Relief & Development, explained in an email to The Christian Post that this grant is an extension of a five-year collaboration with the Muglia Foundation.

“In the first year of this five-year catalytic partnership with The Laura Ellen and Robert Muglia Family Foundation, Episcopal Relief & Development, together with our local partners, has reached approximately 85,000 people living in rural and hard-to-reach communities in Liberia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo with violence prevention and response services,” Nelson shared.

The programs funded by this grant will empower local faith and community leaders to tackle the root causes of violence against women and girls, while also challenging the stigmas and misinformation associated with this violence.

“The work has been to connect survivors of violence against women & girls to medical, economic and legal support and engage communities’ faith leaders and religious networks in broader violence prevention efforts,” she added.

Referencing Matthew 25, Nelson emphasized the call to “bind up all wounds and share life-saving resources with all people,” highlighting the alignment of their mission with this biblical mandate.

Founded in 1940 as the Presiding Bishop’s Fund for World Relief, Episcopal Relief & Development has a long history of humanitarian work. The Muglia Family Foundation began supporting its initiatives in 2005, marking a longstanding partnership.

Presiding Bishop Sean W. Rowe remarked, “The Muglia family has made a transformative investment in God’s mission around the world.” He noted that, “This expression of Christian charity will enable Episcopal Relief & Development to significantly scale up its innovative and impactful work to promote equality and women’s empowerment. Their gift is an example to all that supporting God’s work, as we are able, has an enduring impact.”