Episcopal Relief and development (ERD) was established by the Episcopal Church USA in 1940 as the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief. The original mission was to assist refugees from Europe fleesing in advance of World War II. The agency went on to assist Palestinian refugees, children in Estonia, and diplaced persons in Germany and Hungary before the ECUSA went on the establish Episcopal Migration Ministries in 1988 to manage refugee settlement. In the meantime, the agency responded to disasters in the US and overseas. In 2000, the name changed to Episcopal Relief and Development to reflect the focus on disaster relief work and programs for integrated community development. In 2002, the organization incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

To assist in relief efforts you may make a financial contribution to ERD in several ways. Make a check payable to the St. Michael's annotated for Haiti Relief You may also donate online at www.er-d.org, call 1-800-334-7626 est. 5129, or mail a check to Episcopal Relief and Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.