World Vision Statement

SEATTLE (November 5, 2018) — World Vision categorically denies the accusations made in the opinion piece by Cliff Smith and Sam Westrop published by the Christian Post on November 3. The story omits key facts that we have previously provided, and is based on flawed assumptions and speculation which create false and unfair claims – the most outrageous being that we knowingly supported an organization linked to terrorism.

Terrorism runs counter to everything World Vision stands for as an organization. We exist to help build a better world for children and their families, serving in the name of Jesus Christ. We would never put those we serve or our staff at risk by working with an organization linked to terrorism. We strongly condemn any act of terrorism or support for those activities.

Our detailed statement of July 2018 remains true.

IRA was not known to be a blocked party when World Vision made the required start-up payment. The second and final payment – for humanitarian work that was verified to have been done – was made only after the US Government’s Office of Foreign Assets Control granted us permission.

IRA was approved for the sub-grant by the U.S Government. Nevertheless, when we became aware that IRA might be the same entity as on the blocked parties list, we suspended the grant and asked the U.S. Government to confirm IRA’s status. After the U.S. Government confirmed that IRA “appeared to be” the same blocked party on the list, we asked for permission to pay for confirmed humanitarian services already performed – including repairing water pumps that benefited 3000 people, providing seeds for the new season and vaccinating more than 50,000 animals – not for a resumption of the sub-grant.

World Vision took its compliance obligations seriously. As required by regulation, World Vision reported IRA into the U.S. Government’s reporting system using ISRA’s DUNs number. If its DUNs number was invalid, World Vision would not have been able to submit its report.

World Vision works in some 100 countries around the world.  We do not compromise our beliefs nor our commitment to integrity as we work with governments throughout the world.

World Vision has robust controls and screening processes in place and strongly condemns any act of terrorism or support for those activities. We have no evidence that any of our funds have been used for anything other than urgent humanitarian work.

##

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children, families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/media-center/ or on Twitter @WorldVisionUSA.