Brian Burditt

Director of World Missions

Areas of Expertise
Human Trafficking
HIV/ AIDS
Hunger
Community Development
Canadian Government Funding

Bio and Experience
Brian Burditt is in his seventh year working as the Director of World Missions for The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory. He has worked for The Salvation Army for 20 years. In his current position, he is responsible for managing the money that The Salvation Army directs to overseas work in developing countries. He travels across the world to monitor and support the projects that are being implemented.

The Salvation Army is involved in community development projects in many different areas including; health, HIV/AIDS prevention control, family planning, nutrition, education, microcredit loans, agricultural development, animal husbandry projects, feeding programs and child sponsorship programs. The World Missions department also supports countries struck by natural disasters such as tsunamis, droughts and earthquakes. The World Missions team links with Emergency Disaster personnel to transition from relief and recovery into longer term development.

Today’s issues
“There are one or two countries that have turned around the HIV/AIDS infection rate and it’s getting lower, but we are just beginning to understand that HIV/AIDS is a huge problem in other countries like China. We have become more and more aware of situations around the world because of global connectivity and an increased media presence. When a disaster strikes, like a hurricane or tsunami, we see the images and video as it’s happening. It used to be that we would have to wait until missionaries sent a letter, but now we hear every day in the news exactly what is going on, and we can see images of human need instantly.”

Working around the world
“We have a major project that will be drawing to a close very shortly in Sri Lanka. We have also done work in Indonesia and a few different projects in India. We are working in South America, in the Caribbean and many countries in Africa. This just names a few examples.”

Why help?
“The Salvation Army is recognized not only as a church but as an international social service agency. We are active in 118 countries and work with some of the most marginalized people in the world. Our mission is a biblical imperative. There are countless places in scripture where Christians are commanded to help people in need wherever they are, and without any kind of prejudice.”

Helping rebuild after disaster
“We are coming toward the end of our tsunami project in Sri Lanka. It is an $11 million project, and it will be completed on time and below budget. We have built 620 homes for displaced families throughout the country. These homes were designed by the beneficiaries, and they were built within the government’s limits of size and cost. We have retrained people for jobs and provided psychosocial counseling for those suffering trauma.”

Other projects
“We just started an HIV/AIDS prevention and control program, which was started with Canadian International Development Agency money, in Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi. There’s also a Sexual Trafficking project in Mexico, which is a program designed to keep kids off the streets, away from human trafficking. Finally, we’ve experienced huge success with animal husbandry projects in Tanzania and China.”

Funding
“We work with the Canadian International Development Agency, which is a federal government agency. On the HIV/ AIDS project they give us a three to one match for any Salvation Army money spent, so it’s a $1.75 million project of which they are paying 75% over the cost over three years. We have many private donors as well.”

Being Accountable
“Everything is done with professionalism and expertise. We must have the right people working with us and operate transparently.”

June 1998 - Incident Commander when a tornado touched down in Norwich, Ontario
Sept 2001- Red Zone Co-ordinator at Ground Zero
Sept 2003 – Member of an emergency response team stationed in Bermuda following Hurricane Fabian
June 2005 - The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda’s crisis support team representative to flooding in Calgary and Drumheller, AB
Summer 2008 – Organized the Canadian Salvation Army response to Hurricanes Gustov and Ike

Why is The Salvation Army involved in emergency disaster services?
“Emergency disaster services are part of The Salvation Army’s mandate and ministry. The Salvation Army’s unique, international, quasi-military structure enables us to move quickly into action. Like no other civilian body, we can mobilise officer-personnel, resources, volunteers and financial support from the public at large, and bring them to where the need is.

Brian Burditt is available for media interviews, speaking engagements and other appearances. To contact Brian Burditt, please call or email Andrew Burditt with The Salvation Army at (416) 422-6208 or Andrew_Burditt@can.salvationarmy.org.