The United Kingdom offers a diverse landscape of humanitarian organizations, and is home to numerous charities that work on emergency response, poverty, health, education, human rights, and a wide range of other issues. DONARE has selected 25 well-known and influential British humanitarian organizations that respond to humanitarian crises around the world. These charities have a substantial impact on humanitarian efforts worldwide.
There are many more British non-governmental organizations (NGOs), charities and aid agencies working both domestically and internationally to address a multitude of challenges. People in the United Kingdom are known as generous donors to international relief efforts and charitable causes.
Please note: Some of the NGOs featured on the list are registered in England and Wales only, others also in Scotland.
Disasters Emergency Committee
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is an umbrella organization of UK charities that coordinates and launches collective appeals to raise funds to provide emergency relief and rapid assistance to people affected by disasters and humanitarian crises around the world. By pooling resources, the Committee plays a central role in coordinating the UK public's response to emergencies abroad.
Formed in 1963, the Disasters Emergency Committee brings together 15 leading UK humanitarian organizations to raise funds quickly and efficiently at times of crisis overseas. The DEC launches appeals when large-scale natural disasters or human-made catastrophes hit countries without the capacity to respond.
Member organizations of the Disasters Emergency Committee include ActionAid UK, Action Against Hunger UK, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, HelpAge International UK (Age International), International Rescue Committee UK, Islamic Relief UK, Oxfam Great Britain, Plan International UK, Save the Children UK, Tearfund, and World Vision UK.
Donate now to the Disasters Emergency Committee
https://www.dec.org.uk/appeals
(The Disasters Emergency Committee is a registered charity in England and Wales.)
Oxfam Great Britain
Oxfam is a well-known international aid organization that focuses on alleviating poverty and advocating for social justice. The name “Oxfam” derives from the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief, founded in Britain in 1942. The non-governmental organization (NGO) aims to alleviate poverty, inequality, and injustice globally. Oxfam provides humanitarian assistance, works on development projects, and advocates for policy changes. Oxfam Great Britain is an affiliate of Oxfam International, a worldwide confederation of humanitarian non-governmental organizations, networked in 87 countries as part of a global movement for change. Oxfam GB is the branch operating in the United Kingdom.
Donate now to Oxfam Great Britain
https://www.oxfam.org.uk/donate/
(The charity is registered in England and Wales as well as Scotland.)
British Red Cross
The British Red Cross is a leading humanitarian organization that provides assistance during emergencies, disasters, and health crises, both in the UK and internationally. The aid agency also focuses on community development and health promotion. The British Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of independent organizations dedicated to humanitarian principles.
Donate now to the British Red Cross
https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/general-fund-appeal
(The charity is registered in England and Wales, Scotland, Isle of Man, and Jersey.)
Save the Children UK
Save the Children is a global organization that works to improve the lives of children around the world, addressing issues such as education, health, and protection in emergencies. The non-governmental organization (NGO) was founded in 1919 by the teacher and social reformer Eglantyne Jebb in Britain. It campaigns for the rights and protection of children and delivers urgent humanitarian assistance for children worldwide. Save the Children UK is the British branch, and one of the most successful aid organizations in the United Kingdom.
https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/
Donate now to the Save the Children UK
https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/donate-here-1
(The charity is registered in England and Wales, Scotland, and Isle of Man.)
Concern Worldwide UK
Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organization that focuses on the world's most vulnerable people. In addition to providing emergency aid in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, the non-governmental organization is also involved in long-term development cooperation. In 1968, Concern Worldwide - formerly known as Africa Concern - was founded in Dublin, Ireland by a small group of people in response to famine and conflict in Biafra. Its UK branch contributes to projects related to health, nutrition, and livelihoods.
Donate now to Concern Worldwide UK
https://www.concern.org.uk/donate
(The charity is registered in England and Wales, as well as Scotland.)
UNICEF UK
UNICEF UK was founded in 1956, and is one of 34 National Committees located in countries around the world, that raises funds for the United Nations Children's Fund’s emergency and development work and advocates for children’s rights worldwide. The National Committees are a part of UNICEF’s global organization, each established as an independent local non-governmental organization (NGO).
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is the agency of the UN responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. The UN agency is today one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the world.
Donate now to UNICEF UK
https://www.unicef.org.uk/donate/
(UNICEF UK is registered as a charity in England and Wales, as well as Scotland.)
UK for UNHCR
United Kingdom for UNHCR or UK for UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency’s national funding partner for the United Kingdom. The organization is one of ten UNHCR National Fundraising Partners worldwide.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a UN agency mandated to assist and protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. The organization is known by its short name the UN Refugee Agency. UNHCR was established on December 14, 1950, by the UN General Assembly to provide assistance to refugees resulting from World War II. On January 1, 1951, UNHCR began its work. Each year, the UN Refugee Agency helps millions of refugees and displaced persons worldwide.
https://www.unrefugees.org.uk/
Donate now to UK for UNHCR
https://donate.unrefugees.org.uk/general/
(UK for UNHCR is a registered charity in England and Wales.)
Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors without Borders UK
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organization. Médecins Sans Frontières translates to Doctors without Borders. The non-governmental organization (NGO) provides medical assistance to people affected by conflict, disasters, epidemics or exclusion from healthcare. Rapid and effective response to humanitarian emergencies is at the core of its work. Médecins Sans Frontières was founded in 1971 in Paris, France by a group of journalists and doctors
Donate now to MSF/ Doctors without Borders UK
https://msf.org.uk/secure/donate
(The charity is registered in England and Wales.)
Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) is the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales. CAFOD is a member of Caritas Internationalis. Working through local partners, the charity currently supports national NGO partners in providing humanitarian assistance in more than 30 countries across the world. The faith-based aid agency was established in 1960; CAFOD Headquarters are located in London.
Donate now to CAFOD
https://cafod.org.uk/Give
(The charity is registered in England and Wales.)
Please note: Faith-based organizations may pursue additional goals.
Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF)
SCIAF is the official aid and international development charity of the Catholic Church in Scotland. It works to tackle poverty, injustice, and provide emergency relief in different parts of the world. The aid organization - founded in 1965 by a small group of Scottish Catholics - aims at the world's poorest to end poverty, and help people recover from disaster. The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund is a member of Caritas Internationalis.
Donate now to the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund
https://www.sciaf.org.uk/about-us?form=donate
(The charity is registered in Scotland.)
Please note: Faith-based organizations may pursue additional goals.
Islamic Relief UK
lslamic Relief is a faith-based humanitarian and development agency working to save the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Established in the UK in 1984, the leading Muslim charity now works in over 45 countries assisting individuals, families and communities through emergency response and development projects.
https://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/
Donate now to lslamic Relief UK
https://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/donation/
(The charity is registered in England and Wales.)
Please note: Faith-based organizations may pursue additional goals.
Plan International UK
Plan International focuses on children's rights and equality for girls. The independent development and humanitarian organization advances children’s rights and opportunities, as well as equality for girls. Plan International is one of the oldest and largest children's aid organizations in the world. The charity responds to emergencies and disasters that threaten the lives of children.
Donate now to Plan International UK
https://plan-uk.org/donate/make-a-donation
(The charity is registered in England and Wales.)
ActionAid UK
ActionAid is an international charity working to end poverty and injustice. ActionAid UK is the British arm that focuses on issues such as women's rights, education, and economic empowerment. The non-governmental organization (NGO) was founded as a charity in 1972. The global federation ActionAid International works in more than 50 countries.
Donate now to ActionAid UK
https://www.actionaid.org.uk/donate
(The charity is registered in England and Wales as well as Scotland.)
Christian Aid
Christian Aid is a humanitarian aid and development organization of more than 40 Christian churches in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Founded in 1947, the faith-based Christian charity works to promote sustainable development, eradicate poverty, support civil society and provide disaster relief in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and South America. Christian Aid works with local partners and communities to fight injustice, respond to humanitarian emergencies, and advocate for social change.
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/
Donate now to Christian Aid
https://give.christianaid.org.uk/
(The charity is registered in England and Wales, Northern Ireland as well as Scotland.)
Please note: Faith-based organizations may pursue additional goals.
Action Against Hunger UK
Action Against Hunger is dedicated to eradicating hunger and providing access to clean water and healthcare. Its main goal is to take decisive action against the causes and effects of hunger. The organization aims to save malnourished children from starvation, establish access to safe drinking water and create sustainable solutions to hunger.
https://www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk/
Donate now to Action Against Hunger UK
https://www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk/donate
(The charity is registered in England and Wales, as well as Scotland.)
CARE International UK
CARE is an international humanitarian organization fighting global poverty and providing assistance in emergencies. The non-governmental organization focuses on empowering women and girls. CARE nowadays stands for "Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere". The non-governmental organization, is one of the largest and oldest humanitarian aid organizations focused on fighting global poverty and social injustice.
https://www.careinternational.org.uk/
Donate now to CARE International UK
https://www.careinternational.org.uk/?form=donate
(The charity is registered in England and Wales.)
Doctors of the World / Médecins du monde UK
Médecins du monde (MdM), which translates to Doctors of the World, is a humanitarian and human rights organization which provides emergency and long-term medical care to the world's most vulnerable people. The non-governmental organization (NGO) is committed to ensuring that all people worldwide can exercise their right to health. The NGO’s vision is a world where barriers to healthcare have been overcome and healthcare is acknowledged as a fundamental right. Doctors of the World UK is the British chapter of the global Médecins du Monde network.
https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/
Donate now to Doctors of the World UK
https://donate.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/page/142795/donate/1
(The charity is registered in England and Wales.)
International Rescue Committee UK
Founded in 1933 with the aim of helping the politically persecuted, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the largest non-governmental organizations (NGO) focusing on the support of refugees worldwide. The NGO provides emergency aid and long-term assistance to refugees and those displaced by war, persecution, or natural disaster. Its international headquarters are based in the United States. The IRC helps people affected by humanitarian crises to survive and rebuild their lives.
Donate now to International Rescue Committee UK
https://help.rescue.org/donate
(The International Rescue Committee UK is a charity registered in England & Wales.)
Humanity & Inclusion UK
Humanity & Inclusion - formerly Handicap International - is a humanitarian non-governmental organization working for the universal recognition of the rights of people with disabilities. The NGO aims to help disabled and vulnerable people in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster.
https://humanity-inclusion.org.uk/
Donate now to Humanity & Inclusion UK
https://donate.humanity-inclusion.org.uk/give/~my-donation
(The charity is registered in England and Wales.)
HelpAge International UK (Age International)
HelpAge is a development and humanitarian aid organization that promotes the social, economic and cultural rights of the elderly. The non-governmental organization (NGO) sees its mission in combating age-related poverty and age discrimination. HelpAge UK is part of the HelpAge International network.
https://www.ageinternational.org.uk/
Donate now to Age International
https://www.ageinternational.org.uk/donation/donate/
(The charity is registered in England and Wales.)
Tearfund
Tearfund is an evangelical Christian non-governmental organization (NGO) based in the United Kingdom, which partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. The name "Tearfund" is an acronym derived from "The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund". Founded in the UK in 1968 to help the people affected by war in Biafra, the NGO’s primary focus is on supporting those in poverty and providing disaster relief for disadvantaged people.
Donate now to Tearfund
https://www.tearfund.org/get-involved/donate
(The charity is registered in England and Wales as well as Scotland.)
Please note: Faith-based organizations may pursue additional goals.
Mercy Corps Europe (based in the UK)
Founded in 1979, Mercy Corps is a global humanitarian organization that aims to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression, and to assist the world's most vulnerable communities. The mission of the non-governmental organization (NGO) is to empower people affected by crisis, poverty and disaster to rebuild their lives and communities. To accomplish this mission, the NGO provides humanitarian assistance, implements development programs and advocates for change. Emergency relief is one of Mercy Corps' main areas of focus. While the aid organization is headquartered in the United States, its European branch is based in the United Kingdom.
https://europe.mercycorps.org/en-gb/
Donate now to Mercy Corps Europe
https://europe.mercycorps.org/en-gb/donate
(The charity is registered in Scotland.)
International Medical Corps UK
International Medical Corps is a non-governmental humanitarian organization that delivers emergency medical aid to those affected by conflict, disaster and disease. The organization also offers healthcare training and development programs. International Medical Corps was founded in 1984 by a group of American physicians and nurses. During humanitarian emergencies, the aid organization responds rapidly.
https://internationalmedicalcorps.org.uk/
Donate now to International Medical Corps UK
https://donorbox.org/internationalmedicalcorpsuk/
(The charity is registered in England and Wales.)
World Vision UK
World Vision is a Christian evangelical non-governmental organization (NGO) with a focus on development cooperation and humanitarian disaster relief. The emphasis of its work is also on helping children at risk. The Christian humanitarian organization is one of the world's largest aid organizations and one of the largest Christian non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The NGO's fundraising projects are primarily financed through child sponsorships.
https://www.worldvision.org.uk/
Donate now to World Vision UK
https://www.worldvision.org.uk/forms/donate-world-vision/
(The charity is registered in England and Wales.)
Please note: Faith-based organizations may pursue additional goals.
War Child UK
War Child is a specialist charity for children affected by conflict, founded in Britain in 1993. The non-governmental organization (NGO) focuses on supporting children affected by conflict by providing education, protection, and psychosocial support.
Donate now to War Child
https://www.warchild.org.uk/?form=7011v0000017zv4AAA
(The charity is registered in England and Wales.)
Related Pages
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- Humanitarian Organizations United States
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- Humanitarian Crisis Relief
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- Hunger and Food Insecurity
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See also