{{Short description|American Christian aid organization}} {{Infobox organization | name = Operation Blessing | type = Non-Government Organization | founded = 1978 | location = [[Virginia Beach, VA|Virginia Beach, Virginia]], United States | key_people = Drew Friedrich (President) | region_served = 65+ countries | focus = Disaster Relief & Development | method = Direct Aid / Program Funding | revenue = USD $90,081,546 (2023)<ref>{{ Cite web | title = IRS Form 990 for Operation Blessing International Relief & Development Corp | url = https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/541382657/202333189349316828/full | author = Operation Blessing International }}</ref> | website = https://www.ob.org/ }}
'''Operation Blessing International (OB)''' is a faith-based humanitarian organization headquartered in [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]], [[United States]]. Founded in 1978, OB operates in more than 65 countries, focusing on [[disaster relief]], medical aid, clean water, [[hunger relief]], and child development programs.
== History == Operation Blessing International (OB) was founded on November 14, 1978, by businessman and televangelist [[Pat Robertson]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-15 |title=The Day Pat Robertson Surprised Everyone by Suddenly Announcing the Creation of Operation Blessing |url=https://www2.cbn.com/news/us/day-pat-robertson-surprised-everyone-suddenly-announcing-creation-operation-blessing |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=CBN |language=en}}</ref> Its stated purpose was to assist people facing challenges by connecting their needs, like clothing and appliances, with donations from viewers of [[The 700 Club|''The 700 Club'']]. OB worked with local churches and organizations to expand its support to include food and financial aid for low-income families. In 1986, it partnered with Development Corporation and became a [[501(c)(3) organization|501(c)(3) nonprofit organization]]. In 1990 OB shifted its focus from individual assistance to funding outreach centers across the U.S. These centers collaborate with local ministries, food pantries, and shelters.
== Activities == [[File:Operation Blessing in Port Charlotte after Hurricane Ian.jpg|thumb|right|A team from Operation Blessing assisting a homeowner in [[Port Charlotte, Florida]] after [[Hurricane Ian]]]]
=== Disaster relief === Operation Blessing has been involved in domestic relief work for victims of many natural disasters, such as severe flooding in [[Nebraska]], tornadoes in [[Mississippi]], and hurricanes [[Hurricane Michael|Michael]] and [[Hurricane Florence|Florence]] in Florida and North Carolina.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blessing |first=Operation |date=2018-09-21 |title=PRESS RELEASE: Operation Blessing International Now Coordinating Volunteer Cleanup Efforts In New Bern, NC |url=https://www.ob.org/press-release-operation-blessing-international-now-coordinating-volunteer-cleanup-efforts-in-new-bern-nc/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=Operation Blessing |language=en-US}}</ref> Internationally, Operation Blessing has assisted victims of humanitarian crises in [[Ukraine]], [[Poland]], [[Turkey]], and [[Kenya]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-02 |title=Operation Blessing sending humanitarian supplies from Chesapeake to Ukrainian refugees |url=https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/nation-world/ukraine/operation-blessing-humanitarian-aid-ukraine/291-278e4778-7685-448b-a86d-8753e303040f |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=13newsnow.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Help for earthquake victims in Turkey |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/10/25/iyw.howtohelp.turkey.quake/index.html |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=www.cnn.com |language=en}}</ref> With a focus on public health, Operation Blessing was involved in working to combat the spread of [[Zika fever]] through educational initiatives, distribution of [[mosquito net]]s, and providing [[insect repellent]].<ref name="Operation Blessing launches effort to combat Zika virus in El Salvador, Haiti">{{cite web | url = http://pilotonline.com/news/local/health/operation-blessing-launches-effort-to-combat-zika-virus-in-el/article_6ae724fb-cd81-558e-be67-be55e2268751.html | title = Operation Blessing launches effort to combat Zika virus in El Salvador, Haiti | access-date = 2016-06-01 | publisher = The Virginian-Pilot | archive-date = 2016-06-04 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160604210727/http://pilotonline.com/news/local/health/operation-blessing-launches-effort-to-combat-zika-virus-in-el/article_6ae724fb-cd81-558e-be67-be55e2268751.html | url-status = dead }}</ref>
OB's involvement extends to various natural disasters around the world, including the [[April 2015 Nepal earthquake]],<ref name="Operation Blessing delivers food, supplies to Nepal">{{cite web | url = http://hamptonroads.com/2015/05/operation-blessing-delivers-food-supplies-nepal | title = Operation Blessing delivers food, supplies to Nepal | access-date = 2015-05-07 | publisher = The Virginian-Pilot}}</ref> the [[Typhoon Haiyan|2013 Typhoon Haiyan]] in the Philippines, the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]],<ref name="New fishing fleet signifies progress in Japan">{{cite web | url = https://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/46693862#46693862 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120313224111/http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/46693862#46693862 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2012-03-13 | title = New fishing fleet signifies progress in Japan | access-date = 2012-07-20 | format = Video | publisher = NBC}}</ref> and the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]] and accompanying [[2010-2011 Haiti cholera outbreak|cholera outbreak]].<ref name="CHOLERA in HAITI: a view from a first responder">{{cite web |title=Cholera in Haiti: a view from a first responder |url=http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-506270?ref=feeds%2Foncnn |access-date=2012-07-20 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>
More recently, OB has responded to the 2025 history-making Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, supported those impacted by the injustices in Burundi (2025), aided artisans in Asheville, NC after Hurricane Helene (2024) devastated their livelihood, and helped refugees from the war in Ukraine in 2022.
== Partnerships == Operation Blessing has partnered with several organizations and nonprofits, including the [[Mayo Clinic]] of Minnesota,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clayton |first=Cindy |last2=Online |first2=Pilot |date=2016-02-29 |title=Operation Blessing helps to fight the Zika virus in Mexico |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/2016/02/29/operation-blessing-helps-to-fight-the-zika-virus-in-mexico/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=The Virginian-Pilot |language=en-US}}</ref> [[International Justice Mission]], [[Free Wheelchair Mission]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blaesser |first=Whitney |date=1 March 2010 |title=Free Wheelchair Mission Final Report |url=https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PDACQ476.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027071850/http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PDACQ476.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 27, 2011 |access-date=1 March 2024}}</ref> and [[Tide (brand)|Tide]] Loads of Hope.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gamble |first=Procter & |title=Tide Loads of Hope Commemorates first Anniversary of Haiti Earthquake with the Introduction of a Documentary Short Film |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tide-loads-of-hope-commemorates-one-year-anniversary-of-haiti-earthquake-with-the-introduction-of-a-documentary-short-film-113344549.html |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref> OB has also conducted annual food distributions with professional sports teams such as the [[Kansas City Chiefs]], [[Kansas City Royals]].<ref>{{cite web | publisher = Chiefs | title = Chiefs & Royals Help Feed Kansas City | year = 2007 | url = http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2007/06/11/chiefs__royals_help_feed_kansas_city | access-date = 2007-08-31 | place = Kansas City | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930203537/http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2007/06/11/chiefs__royals_help_feed_kansas_city |archive-date = 2007-09-30}}</ref>
== Affiliation == Operation Blessing is a member of the Association of Evangelical Relief and Development Organizations (AERDO),<ref>{{cite web | publisher = AERDO | title = Member Organizations | year = 2007 | url = http://www.aerdo.net/directory.php | access-date = 2007-08-31 | url-status = usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070720023250/http://www.aerdo.net/directory.php | archive-date = 2007-07-20}}</ref> and is registered with the [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA)<ref>{{cite web | publisher = FEMA | title = Thousands of Volunteers Embark On Massive Gutting in Orleans Parish | year = 2007 | url =http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=34493 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070308170542/http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=34493 | archive-date =2007-03-08 | access-date = 2007-08-31}}</ref> and the [[United States Agency for International Development]] (USAID).<ref>{{cite web | publisher = USAID | title = Ocean Freight Reimbursement Success Stories | year = 2007 | url =http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/cross-cutting_programs/private_voluntary_cooperation/ofrstories.html | access-date = 2007-08-31 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070816123951/http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/cross-cutting_programs/private_voluntary_cooperation/ofrstories.html | archive-date = 2007-08-16}}</ref> It is also a national member of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD), [[Combined Federal Campaign]] (CFC), Christian Service Charities, Christian Service Organizations of America (CSOA), the Global Compassion Network, the Virginia Trucking Association, and the [[American Trucking Associations]] (ATA).<ref name="Operation Blessing Affiliations">{{cite web | url = http://www.ob.org/_about/affiliation.asp | work = About | title = Affiliations | access-date = 2012-07-20 | publisher = Operation Blessing | archive-date = 2013-08-08 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130808235749/http://www.ob.org/_about/affiliation.asp | url-status = dead }}</ref>
== Financial accountability == Operation Blessing is a member of the [[Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability]] (ECFA),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Operation Blessing - MinistryWatch |url=https://db.ministrywatch.com/ministry.php?ein=541382657 |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=db.ministrywatch.com}}</ref> and is audited annually by [[KPMG|KPMG, LLP]].
== Controversies == {{see also|Pat Robertson controversies}}
In 1994, Pat Robertson made pleas on ''[[The 700 Club]]'' for cash donations to Operation Blessing to support airlifts of refugees from Rwanda to Zaire. ''[[The Virginian-Pilot]]'' later discovered that Operation Blessing's planes were transporting diamond-mining equipment for the African Development Corporation, a venture Robertson had established in cooperation with Zaire's dictator, [[Mobutu Sese Seko]], whom Robertson had befriended earlier in 1993.<ref name=guardian>{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/05/mission-congo-pat-robertson-aid-rwanda | title = Mission Congo: how Pat Robertson raised millions on the back of a non-existent aid project | access-date = 2013-09-07 | work = The Guardian|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130914151028/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/05/mission-congo-pat-robertson-aid-rwanda |archive-date = 2013-09-14|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Mission Congo">{{cite web|url=http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/festival/2013/missioncongo |title=Mission Congo - Toronto Film Festival |access-date=2013-09-07 |publisher=Toronto Film Festival |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904062149/http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/festival/2013/missioncongo |archive-date=September 4, 2013 }}</ref> According to Operation Blessing records, Robertson owned the planes used for Operation Blessing airlifts.<ref name="Operation Blessing Press Release">{{cite web | url = http://www.ob.org/press-releases/#2013 | title = OBI Responds to Malicious Mission Congo Allegations | access-date = 2015-10-12 | publisher = Operation Blessing}}</ref>
A 1999 report concluded that, while Robertson's request for donations to Operation Blessing had been misleading, it was not an intentional attempt to commit fraud.<ref name="Guardian Newspaper Apologizes">{{cite web |title=Guardian Newspaper Apologizes |date=13 December 2013 |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/guardian-newspaper-apologizes-donates-to-pat-robertsons-operation-blessing-for-inaccurate-report-on-mission-congo-documentary-110715/ |access-date=2014-02-11 |publisher=The Christian Post}}</ref>
A September 2013 article in ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that Operation Blessing's volunteers recited Bible passages to dying refugees. Robertson was accused of taking credit for work that was done by [[Médecins Sans Frontières]].<ref name=guardian/> In a December 2013, ''The Guardian'' issued an apology to Operation Blessing, retracting many of their accusations, acknowledging that they had not mentioned a further report that cleared Operation Blessing of any wrongdoing, and agreeing to donate to their "relief efforts for victims of the [[Typhoon Haiyan|typhoon in the Philippines]]."<ref name="The Guardian">{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2013/dec/12/corrections-and-clarifications | title = Corrections and clarifications | access-date = 2014-02-11 | work = The Guardian| date = 12 December 2013 }}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == {{Commons category|Operation Blessing International}} * {{Official website}}
[[Category:1978 establishments in Virginia]] [[Category:Organizations established in 1978]] [[Category:International charities]] [[Category:Pat Robertson]] [[Category:Organizations based in Virginia Beach, Virginia]] [[Category:Charities based in Virginia]] [[Category:Evangelical Christian humanitarian organizations]]