Norwegian Church Aid has joined one of the world's largest humanitarian bodies working in 125 countries with a combined budget of 1,5 billion USD.
The new ACT Alliance of just over 100 organisations provides emergency food aid, shelter, water and sanitation facilities, and poverty reduction programmes in the world's poorest countries.
Through ACT, Norwegian Church Aid has been at the forefront of lifesaving work in Haiti since January 12, the day the massive earthquake destroyed much of Port-au-Prince. On that day, nine ACT organisations were operating in Haiti and were able to swing into relief efforts immediately.
As a global giant, ACT was able to assist survivors of the Chile earthquake six weeks later.
Norwegian Church Aid already supports programmes in more than 50 countries. With the creation of ACT, Norwegian Church Aid's effectiveness is enhanced in these communities and is extended to other countries.
ACT will launch on March 24, with celebrations in every continent.
The alliance works for the world's poorest people, fighting the causes of human suffering and injustice. ACT members are long-standing organisations already working in the communities. When disaster strikes, these organisations are ready to work and are at the forefront of the emergency response.
ACT Alliance General Secretary John Nduna says the creation of the alliance of church-based organisations means ACT's humanitarian and development work will reach every corner of the globe.
"The membership of the ACT Alliance is wide. We find ACT members in every part of the world. ACT members are grounded in local civil society of all parts of the world. Almost everywhere we have churches, we have ACT. We are big and we make an impact on the lives of the poorest in societies around the world."