# Operation Blessing International

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American Christian aid organization

Operation Blessing Founded 1978 Type Non-Government Organization Focus Disaster Relief & Development Location Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States Region served 65+ countries Method Direct Aid / Program Funding Key people Drew Friedrich (President) Revenue USD $90,081,546 (2023)[1] Website https://www.ob.org/

**Operation Blessing International (OB)** is a faith-based humanitarian organization headquartered in [Virginia Beach, Virginia](/source/Virginia_Beach%2C_Virginia), [United States](/source/United_States). Founded in 1978, OB operates in more than 65 countries, focusing on [disaster relief](/source/Disaster_relief), medical aid, clean water, [hunger relief](/source/Hunger_relief), and child development programs.

## History

Operation Blessing International (OB) was founded on November 14, 1978, by businessman and televangelist [Pat Robertson](/source/Pat_Robertson).[2] 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*](/source/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) nonprofit organization](/source/501(c)(3)_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

A team from Operation Blessing assisting a homeowner in [Port Charlotte, Florida](/source/Port_Charlotte%2C_Florida) after [Hurricane Ian](/source/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](/source/Nebraska), tornadoes in [Mississippi](/source/Mississippi), and hurricanes [Michael](/source/Hurricane_Michael) and [Florence](/source/Hurricane_Florence) in Florida and North Carolina.[3] Internationally, Operation Blessing has assisted victims of humanitarian crises in [Ukraine](/source/Ukraine), [Poland](/source/Poland), [Turkey](/source/Turkey), and [Kenya](/source/Kenya).[4][5] With a focus on public health, Operation Blessing was involved in working to combat the spread of [Zika fever](/source/Zika_fever) through educational initiatives, distribution of [mosquito nets](/source/Mosquito_net), and providing [insect repellent](/source/Insect_repellent).[6]

OB's involvement extends to various natural disasters around the world, including the [April 2015 Nepal earthquake](/source/April_2015_Nepal_earthquake),[7] the [2013 Typhoon Haiyan](/source/Typhoon_Haiyan) in the Philippines, the [2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami](/source/2011_T%C5%8Dhoku_earthquake_and_tsunami),[8] and the [2010 Haiti earthquake](/source/2010_Haiti_earthquake) and accompanying [cholera outbreak](/source/2010-2011_Haiti_cholera_outbreak).[9]

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](/source/Mayo_Clinic) of Minnesota,[10] [International Justice Mission](/source/International_Justice_Mission), [Free Wheelchair Mission](/source/Free_Wheelchair_Mission),[11] and [Tide](/source/Tide_(brand)) Loads of Hope.[12] OB has also conducted annual food distributions with professional sports teams such as the [Kansas City Chiefs](/source/Kansas_City_Chiefs), [Kansas City Royals](/source/Kansas_City_Royals).[13]

## Affiliation

Operation Blessing is a member of the Association of Evangelical Relief and Development Organizations (AERDO),[14] and is registered with the [Federal Emergency Management Agency](/source/Federal_Emergency_Management_Agency) (FEMA)[15] and the [United States Agency for International Development](/source/United_States_Agency_for_International_Development) (USAID).[16] It is also a national member of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD), [Combined Federal Campaign](/source/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](/source/American_Trucking_Associations) (ATA).[17]

## Financial accountability

Operation Blessing is a member of the [Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability](/source/Evangelical_Council_for_Financial_Accountability) (ECFA),[18] and is audited annually by [KPMG, LLP](/source/KPMG).

## Controversies

See also: [Pat Robertson controversies](/source/Pat_Robertson_controversies)

In 1994, Pat Robertson made pleas on *[The 700 Club](/source/The_700_Club)* for cash donations to Operation Blessing to support airlifts of refugees from Rwanda to Zaire. *[The Virginian-Pilot](/source/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](/source/Mobutu_Sese_Seko), whom Robertson had befriended earlier in 1993.[19][20] According to Operation Blessing records, Robertson owned the planes used for Operation Blessing airlifts.[21]

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.[22]

A September 2013 article in *[The Guardian](/source/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](/source/M%C3%A9decins_Sans_Fronti%C3%A8res).[19] 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 in the Philippines](/source/Typhoon_Haiyan)."[23]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Operation Blessing International. ["IRS Form 990 for Operation Blessing International Relief & Development Corp"](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/541382657/202333189349316828/full).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["The Day Pat Robertson Surprised Everyone by Suddenly Announcing the Creation of Operation Blessing"](https://www2.cbn.com/news/us/day-pat-robertson-surprised-everyone-suddenly-announcing-creation-operation-blessing). *CBN*. 2023-06-15. Retrieved 2024-03-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Blessing, Operation (2018-09-21). ["PRESS RELEASE: Operation Blessing International Now Coordinating Volunteer Cleanup Efforts In New Bern, NC"](https://www.ob.org/press-release-operation-blessing-international-now-coordinating-volunteer-cleanup-efforts-in-new-bern-nc/). *Operation Blessing*. Retrieved 2024-03-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Operation Blessing sending humanitarian supplies from Chesapeake to Ukrainian refugees"](https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/nation-world/ukraine/operation-blessing-humanitarian-aid-ukraine/291-278e4778-7685-448b-a86d-8753e303040f). *13newsnow.com*. 2022-03-02. Retrieved 2024-03-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Help for earthquake victims in Turkey"](http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/10/25/iyw.howtohelp.turkey.quake/index.html). *www.cnn.com*. Retrieved 2024-03-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Operation_Blessing_launches_effort_to_combat_Zika_virus_in_El_Salvador,_Haiti_6-0)** ["Operation Blessing launches effort to combat Zika virus in El Salvador, Haiti"](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). The Virginian-Pilot. Archived from [the original](http://pilotonline.com/news/local/health/operation-blessing-launches-effort-to-combat-zika-virus-in-el/article_6ae724fb-cd81-558e-be67-be55e2268751.html) on 2016-06-04. Retrieved 2016-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Operation_Blessing_delivers_food,_supplies_to_Nepal_7-0)** ["Operation Blessing delivers food, supplies to Nepal"](http://hamptonroads.com/2015/05/operation-blessing-delivers-food-supplies-nepal). The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 2015-05-07.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-New_fishing_fleet_signifies_progress_in_Japan_8-0)** ["New fishing fleet signifies progress in Japan"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120313224111/http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/46693862#46693862). NBC. Archived from [the original](https://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/46693862#46693862) (Video) on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2012-07-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CHOLERA_in_HAITI:_a_view_from_a_first_responder_9-0)** ["Cholera in Haiti: a view from a first responder"](http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-506270?ref=feeds%2Foncnn). CNN. Retrieved 2012-07-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Clayton, Cindy; Online, Pilot (2016-02-29). ["Operation Blessing helps to fight the Zika virus in Mexico"](https://www.pilotonline.com/2016/02/29/operation-blessing-helps-to-fight-the-zika-virus-in-mexico/). *The Virginian-Pilot*. Retrieved 2024-03-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Blaesser, Whitney (1 March 2010). ["Free Wheelchair Mission Final Report"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111027071850/http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PDACQ476.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PDACQ476.pdf) (PDF) on October 27, 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Gamble, Procter &. ["Tide Loads of Hope Commemorates first Anniversary of Haiti Earthquake with the Introduction of a Documentary Short Film"](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). *www.prnewswire.com*. Retrieved 2024-03-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Chiefs & Royals Help Feed Kansas City"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070930203537/http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2007/06/11/chiefs__royals_help_feed_kansas_city). Kansas City: Chiefs. 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2007/06/11/chiefs__royals_help_feed_kansas_city) on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-08-31.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Member Organizations"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070720023250/http://www.aerdo.net/directory.php). AERDO. 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-07-20. Retrieved 2007-08-31.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Thousands of Volunteers Embark On Massive Gutting in Orleans Parish"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070308170542/http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=34493). FEMA. 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=34493) on 2007-03-08. Retrieved 2007-08-31.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Ocean Freight Reimbursement Success Stories"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070816123951/http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/cross-cutting_programs/private_voluntary_cooperation/ofrstories.html). USAID. 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/cross-cutting_programs/private_voluntary_cooperation/ofrstories.html) on 2007-08-16. Retrieved 2007-08-31.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Operation_Blessing_Affiliations_17-0)** ["Affiliations"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130808235749/http://www.ob.org/_about/affiliation.asp). *About*. Operation Blessing. Archived from [the original](http://www.ob.org/_about/affiliation.asp) on 2013-08-08. Retrieved 2012-07-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Operation Blessing - MinistryWatch"](https://db.ministrywatch.com/ministry.php?ein=541382657). *db.ministrywatch.com*. Retrieved 2024-02-15.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-guardian_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-guardian_19-1) ["Mission Congo: how Pat Robertson raised millions on the back of a non-existent aid project"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130914151028/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/05/mission-congo-pat-robertson-aid-rwanda). *The Guardian*. Archived from [the original](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/05/mission-congo-pat-robertson-aid-rwanda) on 2013-09-14. Retrieved 2013-09-07.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Mission_Congo_20-0)** ["Mission Congo - Toronto Film Festival"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130904062149/http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/festival/2013/missioncongo). Toronto Film Festival. Archived from [the original](http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/festival/2013/missioncongo) on September 4, 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-07.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Operation_Blessing_Press_Release_21-0)** ["OBI Responds to Malicious Mission Congo Allegations"](http://www.ob.org/press-releases/#2013). Operation Blessing. Retrieved 2015-10-12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Guardian_Newspaper_Apologizes_22-0)** ["Guardian Newspaper Apologizes"](http://www.christianpost.com/news/guardian-newspaper-apologizes-donates-to-pat-robertsons-operation-blessing-for-inaccurate-report-on-mission-congo-documentary-110715/). The Christian Post. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 2014-02-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-The_Guardian_23-0)** ["Corrections and clarifications"](https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2013/dec/12/corrections-and-clarifications). *The Guardian*. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 2014-02-11.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Operation Blessing International](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Operation_Blessing_International).

- [Official website](http://www.ob.org)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Operation Blessing International](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blessing_International) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blessing_International?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.