What we do

SCIAF is one of Scotland’s largest international aid and development agencies. We work in the following three areas:

Courtesy of Caritas

Responding to emergencies

SCIAF is member of a network of organisations called Caritas Internationalis. This is the second largest humanitarian network in the world after the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. It operates in over 200 countries around the world. In times of disaster, we can send emergency supplies to those in need – including clean water, blankets, medicines and shelter. This support helps to save many lives.

Supporting communities

We work in over 20 countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America, to help some of the poorest people in the world. Today SCIAF supports over 80 development projects helping people affected by war and conflict, HIV/AIDS, lack of food and little opportunity to make a living. These projects, run by our overseas partner organisations, give people support over a number of years to help them work their way out of poverty. Often this work involves training communities, providing healthcare and advice or helping them to start a business or grow more food on their farms.

Campaigning for a more just world

At home, SCIAF tackles the underlying causes of global poverty such as unfair trade and debt. We do this by educating people in Scotland and encouraging them to live as global citizens. We also organise campaigns to challenge those with power, such as politicians, to take decisions that make life better and fairer for those living in poverty.