Relief and International Development

Working with vulnerable people across three continents, we help to break the vicious cycle of poverty by resourcing local communities to create lasting change.

Churches of Christ Overseas Aid (COCOA) is the humanitarian relief and international development program of Global Mission Partners, operating in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. We’re an international aid organisation working with local communities and organisations on the ground to provide everything from education and healthcare to hygiene and livelihood initiatives, we strive to make sure our local partners are equipped to be incredible agents of change in their communities.

The goal of our global development projects is to support disadvantaged communities as they work towards their international development aspirations, whether that be:

  • clean water,
  • education,
  • disaster risk reduction,
  • productive livelihoods,
  • healthcare, or
  • another objective.

We partner with local civil society organisations to direct support towards the most vulnerable—those who have been marginalised, economically disadvantaged, or disempowered politically.

Through COCOA, we want to empower and enable people to change their own situations with dignity and respect. All of our projects through this program are designed to help people living in poverty take ownership of the international development work and create lasting change in their communities.

COCOA has tax deductibility as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) registered charity with the ATO. Gifts to COCOA greater than $2 are tax deductible.

COCOA is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global alliance of church-based agencies working in advocacy, international development and humanitarian aid work for a fairer world for all. In situations where COCOA does not have a partner that can respond to a humanitarian crisis, we will often work through ACT Alliance.

Global Mission Partners is accredited by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), responsible for managing the Australian Government’s development program. Global Mission Partners receives support through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

Relief and Development News

From Refugee Camp to Serving South Sudan’s Children

South Sudan’s story cannot be separated from war, displacement and survival. After decades of conflict and the long struggle that eventually led to independence in 2011, many communities were left carrying deep scars. Families lost loved ones, livelihoods disappeared and…

Strengthening Livelihoods in Northern Thailand

High in the mountains of Northern Thailand, the Karen village of Ban Pa Kia has stood for more than a century. Nestled among the forests of Chiang Mai province, the community has long relied on small gardens, livestock and traditional…