ERDO

About ERDO:

Founded in 1983, Emergency Relief and Development Overseas (ERDO) helps children and families in developing countries by providing emergency food and aid, sponsoring children, and supporting community development. In F2017, the charity helped almost 400,000 people in 37 countries including Bangladesh, Guatemala, and Honduras. ERDO is the humanitarian agency of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and is a member of Canadian Council of Christian Charities.  

In F2017, 46% of program spending was allocated to Food Assistance. ERDO is one of 15 members of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank which pools resources and distributes food where it is needed. ERDO-specific initiatives gave food to 43,916 people last year. Food may be distributed as monthly rations to families including items such as 25kg each of rice, sugar, and wheat flour, 10kg of pasta, 4L of cooking oil, and several barrels of water. Smaller programs focus on nourishing youth including: Cookies for Kids, Plumpy’Nut, Haiti Feeding Program, and the Honduras In-School Feeding Program.

In F2017, child sponsorship program, ChildCARE, received 42% of program spending. Donors supply $41 per month to support the health and education of a child in poverty. In 2017, ERDO celebrated its 25th year of ChildCARE and the 8,000th child was sponsored.

Crisis Response received 6% of program spending. This program supported 216,494 people affected by natural disaster, political conflict, and chronic poverty. ERDO provides food, clothing, hygiene kits, and shelter to those in need.

In F2017, Community Development received 6% of program spending. Rather than providing “hand-outs” ERDO gives communities a “hand-up” to provide long-term solutions to chronic health and economic problems. The microfinance initiative has given 1,280 women funds to run their own businesses. ERDO has also taught sustainable farming techniques and built health clinics.

Results and Impact: In F2017, 872 ChildCARE sponsored children graduated from primary or secondary school. Within the Community Development program, ERDO dug 5 wells in Zimbabwe, meaning that 6,500 people now have access to clean water.

Financial Review:

Emergency Relief & Development Overseas changed its year end from December to September, thus the F2017 values reported reflect 9 months of operations. ERDO is categorized as large, with F2017 donations of $4.8m. The charity received $1.8m in government funding, representing 26% of total revenue. Its administrative costs are 6% of revenues and its fundraising costs are 12% of donations. For every $1 donated to the charity, 82 cents go to the cause, falling within Ci's reasonable range. ERDO has $5.7m in funding reserves which could cover program costs for 11 months.  

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Emergency Relief and Development Overseas for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on June 15, 2018 by Madison Kerr.