Though these two terms are sometimes used interchangeably there are many differences. Both are necessary in certain situations but knowing which one to use over the other is very important to effectively meeting the needs of the people.
So what's the difference?
Relief efforts are needed in situations where basic needs for survival are not being met and the people in need are powerless to help themselves. This includes situations such as natural disasters, food shortages, violent situations, where the needs are urgent. The aid is given to or for the people, meaning the people in need are dependent on others to meet their needs for them. The time committement on behalf the organization is more short-term and can be done by anyone without really getting to know the people. The investment is often materials including food, water, clothing, shelter. The results are often easy to track. For example reports may list 200 recieved meals, 50 were given blankets. The individual is impacted in the present time. As long as the situation exists, the needs will exist.
Development efforts are needed in situations where the needs are more systemic. They may include issues related to extreme poverty, social injustice, or inequality, or issues of human dignity. Development efforts rely on wholistic approaches that are based on relationships. The time committement on behalf of the organization is more long-term. Devleopment efforts are done with the people. The situation, culture and people must be understood and trusting relationships must be established before change can take place. Development seeks to empower the people rather than foster dependency. The assets of the people in need are identified and built upon as a solution for their own situation. The results of development efforts are harder to track in a tangible matter but the goal is transformation and self-sustainability. The impact has the power to be generational. When families who have been poor are given opportunities and their quality of life improved, their children benefit as well. The cycles of poverty, injustice, violence, and addiction can be broken.
Food For His Children (FFHC) believes that community development is what is needed for our field of work: The Karatu District of rural Tanzania. The people living in these rural agricultural villages live in conditions of extreme poverty. They have many physical needs, but given opportunities and education, they have it within themselves to overcome their condition and make a lasting change in their quality of live.
Over the past several years relationships have been formed in this area between FFHC leadership and volunteers, and community and church leaders in Tanzania. FFHC is working to enlist the skills and knowledge present in the local communities, empower the people to use the skills they have for the benefit of others, provide more opportunities, and empower the families to be able to meet their needs. The catalyst for all of this is the dairy goats. In this region livestock, especially goats, provide a source of nutrition and income. Those who have livestock have a higher standard of living than those who don't. it is through their own efforts of raising the gaots that families are better able to provide enough food for their children and afford medical care and education. When these needs are met, they begin to dream and hope again. New doors of opportunity are opened. We have had families with dreams of starting small businesses with the proceeds from their goats, others see sending their children to higher education as an attainable goal. The goal is that each family and each village would be able to provide for their own needs without any additional help or funding from Food For His Children.
To read more about this topic please read the book:
When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert
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