Rapid Relief Team
| Founded | 2013[1] |
|---|---|
| Type | Humanitarian relief organisation |
| Focus | Emergency response, community support, crisis relief[1] |
| Origins | Founded by members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church[1] |
Area served | Worldwide (Australia, New Zealand, UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Caribbean, South America, Africa)[1] |
| Products | Emergency food boxes, water, care kits |
| Method | Volunteer-led rapid response teams delivering practical support and donated aid[1] |
| Website | www.rrtglobal.org |
Rapid Relief Team, also known as RRT, is a multinational nonprofit established in 2013 by the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. The organization provides emergency food and welfare support to disaster-affected communities, first responders, and vulnerable groups across multiple countries.[1][2][3]
History
[edit]RRT was founded with the mission of delivering catering assistance and tangible support during crises.[4] Since then, it has expanded operations to over 16 countries, including Australia, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Argentina, and parts of Europe.[1]
The establishment of RRT occurred during a period of regulatory scrutiny directed at the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, which founded and operates the charity. In 2012, the Charity Commission for England and Wales refused charitable status to the PBCC’s Preston Down Trust, citing concerns over lack of public benefit.[5] The PBCC appealed the decision.[6][7] Charitable status was eventually granted after the Commission concluded the Preston Downs Trust could demonstrate public benefit by, among other steps, "engaging to a certain extent in the wider community, including through disaster relief".[8]
Activities and operations
[edit]The Rapid Relief Team (RRT) provides emergency assistance in response to natural disasters and crises, including the distribution of food, supplies, and logistical support. The organisation has operated in response to events such as the 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquake,[9] the 2019–2020 Australian bushfires,[10] and the conflict in Ukraine.[11]
Beyond disaster response, RRT carries out charitable initiatives in areas such as homelessness, disability support, and rural hardship. In Australia, it has provided drought assistance to farmers through hay and feed distribution.[12] In New Zealand, the organisation has supported rural recovery efforts and made donations to emergency services, including a NZ$27,000 contribution to the Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust.[13]
RRT reports having served over 2.2 million meals globally across its operations.[14]
Criticism and controversy
[edit] |
RRT has faced criticism due to its close association with the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC), a religious group with separatist doctrines, including a long-standing rule that members must have no contact with former members.[15] Critics and former members allege that RRT functions as a "brand-washing" initiative, helping to deflect criticism of the social harms caused by these practices.[16][17][unreliable source?]
Governance and financial transparency have also been sources of concern. In 2018 it was reported that, despite RRT's public claim that "100 per cent" of donations to its Australian drought appeal would reach farmers, nearly half of the funds raised in 2016-2017 were used for internal expenses.[18]
In New Zealand, RRT received a $1.25 million government grant following Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023.[19] RRT press releases claimed that the charity had "donated 930 fencing packs valued at over $1.4 million", without disclosing the government funding.[20][21] This claim was repeated in media coverage.[22][23]
In 2024, South Australia's Department of Health (SA Health) formally ceased collaboration with RRT, citing concerns over its affiliation with the PBCC.[24]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g "Our Global Presence". Rapid Relief Team. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ "Rapid Relief Team". Lincs CVP. 2 January 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "Rapid Relief Team packing up festive food for Aussie families in need". MediaNet. 22 December 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "Rapid Relief Team: Delivering hope and relief in times of crisis". Charity Today. 2022.
- ^ "Plymouth Brethren takes charitable status case to tribunal". Civil Society Media. 26 July 2012.
- ^ "Christian group makes legal appeal for charity status". The Guardian. 3 January 2013.
- ^ "Exclusive Brethren group appeals against Charity Commission's refusal to grant charitable status". Third Sector. 15 March 2013.
- ^ "Case Report: Preston Down Trust" (PDF). Charity Commission. 3 January 2014.
- ^ "RRT sends aid to Turkey after devastating earthquake". RRT News. 2023.
- ^ "RRT Supports Bushfire Relief Efforts". Rapid Relief Team. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ "RRT Delivers Aid to Ukraine". Rapid Relief Team. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ "Farmers Community Connect". Rapid Relief Team. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ "RRT Gisborne Donates to Rescue Trust". Gisborne Herald. 2023.
- ^ "RRT Global Impact Report". Rapid Relief Team. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ Weavabel v Christie, Civ 644 (EWCA 2025).
- ^ "Ex-Plymouth Brethren Christian Church members call for its charitable status to be stripped". Radio New Zealand. 25 July 2022.
- ^ "Get A Life Ep.139 The Truth about Rapid Relief Team (RRT)". 23 June 2025.
- ^ "Exclusive Brethren's drought appeal marred by past donation revelations". The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Projects funded to help the recovery of rural communities affected by severe weather in 2023". New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries. 2023.
- ^ "RRT Donated 90km of Fencing for Cyclone Hit Farmers". Rapid Relief Team. 6 December 2023.
- ^ "New Zealand Farmers Community Connect Events Rebuild Fences for Farmers". Together We Are Brethren. 13 September 2023.
- ^ "Free fencing convoy heads to RRT farmers' event in Wellsford". Radio New Zealand. 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Rapid Relief Team free fencing convoy heads to farmers' event in Wellsford". New Zealand Herald. 29 November 2023.
- ^ "SA Health will 'no longer' partner with charity run by Brethren members". ABC News. 20 November 2024.