Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe - Our Mandate

"Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe has been providing humanitarian aid worldwide since 1969. We support people who have fallen victim of natural disasters, war and displacement and who are not able to cope on their own in the emergency situation they find themselves in. Our aim is to help people in need – worldwide, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion or nationality."

About us

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe is member organisation of Diakonie – the Austrian Protestant relief group. We are responsible for humanitarian aid work within the network and are closely connected with sister organisation Brot für die Welt (Bread for the World) which is responsible for projects providing development aid. Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe and Brot für die Welt belong to the umbrella organisation Diakonie Austria.

One of the most important principles of our work is impartiality and independence. In conflict areas in particular, we value our independence from all involved parties. The nature and scope of our assistance is tailored to the individual situation in a disaster zone within the framework of available possibilities. Assistance is designed to suit the local conditions and is integrated within the economic, social and political context of a specific country or region. Interventions are adjusted to respond to the needs and the situation of those affected, respect human dignity, and conform to local legislation and traditions. Material assistance is distributed according to need and in line with local standards. Goods purchased locally as far as is possible and useful.

In its activities, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe is committed to the basic principles of humanitarian aid as laid down in the Code of Conduct of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and of non-governmental aid organisations in the context of emergency assistance.

Member of ACT Alliance - International Humanitarian Network

Diakonie Katastrophemhilfe is member of ACT (Action by Churches Together) Alliance, a global alliance of churches and aid agencies active in the area of humanitarian aid. It is a coalition of more than 140 churches and faith-based organisations working together in over 140 countries to create positive and sustainable change in the lives of poor and marginalised people regardless of their religion, politics, gender, sexual orientation, race or nationality. It is deeply rooted in the communities it serves. It has earned the trust and respect of local people long before large international interventions scale up, and remains steadfast in its grassroots commitments for many years after world attention has shifted elsewhere.

ACT Alliance (Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe) as a member, is a signatory to the highest humanitarian codes and standards, including the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief.