IHQ launches special COVID-19 support body
IHQ launches special COVID-19 support body
1 May 2020
The Salvation Army is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic around the world with a new group established at IHQ to provide additional and timely support.
General Brian Peddle has authorised the formation of an International Headquarters body to respond specifically to the coronavirus pandemic.
The COVID-19 International Response Group – headed by the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham – will provide much-needed support swiftly and efficiently, freeing local Salvationists to concentrate on fulfilling the most pressing needs.
Fundraising efforts around the world have become much more difficult while the need for immediate support has grown. The new group will be able to provide access to funds in cases that may previously have had to wait for a donor to be identified.
The General is adamant that every effort will be made to ensure that local ability to carry out life-saving and life-changing ministry should not be hampered by the lack of access to resources.
The Chief of the Staff wrote to territorial, command and regional leaders on 14 April to explain what the new group seeks to do:
“The international Salvation Army is stepping up to do what we can. With prayer, creativity, inspired leaders and dedicated front-line teams, we are not retreating and IHQ wants to support these unique and expanded ministries.
“The role of this group is to intentionally respond to the COVID-19 crisis by assessing both the needs as they are presented as well as the capacity to respond to these needs ... exploring and securing funding resources and developing processes to ensure timely availability and distribution.”
According to its terms of reference, the COVID-19 International Response Group exists to:
- Consult and collaborate an intentional response to the COVID-19 crisis
- Coordinate the resources of IHQ to respond to emergency needs around the world
- Assess capacity to respond
- Support the Program Resources Department in determining strategic priorities and potential funding resources
- Make recommendations to The General’s Council/Salvation Army International Trading Company for response and/or recovery
- Agree to procedures and criteria for funding support
- Produce updates for the global Army.
At the time of writing, since its first meeting on 8 April 2020, the group has agreed to the funding of 59 Rapid Response projects – overseen by International Emergency Services – and 60 ‘Over and Above’ Mission Support projects – managed through International Development Services.
At the direction of the General and under the chairmanship of Commissioner Buckingham, the group consists of zonal leaders and Business and Program Resources leadership.
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