Relief Action International (RAI) is dedicated to alleviating human suffering and strengthening the resilience of communities facing disasters, conflicts, and the challenges of a changing climate. Our field teams respond rapidly to provide lifesaving food, medical care, clean water, and shelter to the most vulnerable populations. Beyond emergency aid, RAI implements programs that promote long-term recovery, community resilience, and disaster preparedness. Every mission is guided by our core values, equity, protection of life, professionalism, volunteerism, and accountability, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most. Through swift, compassionate, and coordinated action, RAI empowers families to survive crises, rebuild their lives, and thrive in safer, stronger communities.
"When someone is hungry,entire future is threatened."
At Relief Action International (RAI), we respond because every life matters and every community deserves the opportunity to survive, recover, and thrive. Across the world, disasters, conflicts, and climate-related crises disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations, leaving families without food, clean water, shelter, healthcare, and essential services.
RAI deploys highly trained field teams to provide immediate lifesaving support, including emergency food distribution, medical care, clean water, shelter, and sanitation. Beyond emergency response, we implement programs designed to strengthen community resilience, facilitate long-term recovery, and build capacity to withstand future crises. Our initiatives include disaster preparedness training, climate adaptation projects, and locally-led health and nutrition programs.
Every intervention is guided by our core principles of equity, protection of life, accountability, and professionalism. We monitor and evaluate the impact of each program to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most and that resources are used effectively and transparently.
Through rapid, coordinated, and compassionate action, RAI not only alleviates immediate suffering but also empowers communities to rebuild stronger, safer, and more resilient futures. Our mission is to create measurable, lasting impact, because supporting vulnerable communities today prevents crises tomorrow
Why we provide Emergency Food Assistance ?
Because food is not a privilege, it is a basic human right. When conflict erupts or disasters strike, families can lose everything in a matter of seconds: their homes, their livelihoods, and sometimes the people they love. In those fragile moments, hunger cannot wait. People need support today, not later. We believe that a meal is more than just nourishment. It is a message that says: “You are not alone. Your life matters. We stand with you.” A warm meal restores strength, brings comfort, and helps communities regain the courage to rebuild. Inspired by those who choose compassion in times of crisis, we work close to the people, in the very places where life has been shaken and hope needs a hand. To feed is to save. To feed is to restore humanity.
Meet Our Leaders
Discover the dedicated individuals driving Relief Action International’s mission forward.
Sam Salomon Bahati
FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTORÂ
Born in Kivu, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a career teacher and trained lawyer, Salomon Bahati began volunteering in 2012 during the capture of the city of Goma by the rebellion of the 23MARS (M23) movement. After witnessing the suffering of displaced populations, he decided to join the association YOUTH FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE and then the JUNIOR CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL (JCI) to contribute his expertise in protecting children and women living in concentration camps; it was there that he began to reflect on philanthropy. In his role related to child protection, he experienced the impact of community meals in saving lives, which inspired him to create RAI with the support of his brother Christian Bahati and his friends Gabriella Martinez and Thomas Wolter.
In his teaching career, he has mentored children affected by conflicts or disasters; schoolgirls who were victims of rape, children from armed groups, severely impacted by hunger and trauma. Committed and determined, Salomon continues today his mission as Secretary General of RAI with the belief that ‘Serving humanity is our duty, not just our privilege.’
Thomas Wolter-Roessler
EXECUTIVEÂ CO-CHAIR
Based in Stuttgart, BW, Germany, Thomas Wolter is the founder of the German engineering company Vreed GmbH.He has contributed to the implementation of several programs within the framework of the RAI mission, notably the response to the Ebola virus disease in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the protection of the ecosystems of the African Great Lakes.He came into contact with Salomon and Christian in 2019 while he was still a board member of the Young Economic Chamber of Stuttgart.He contributed to fundraising for projects and participated in the creation of the RAI association.As co-chair, he remains a key figure in RAI’s humanitarian actions worldwide.
Katrin Sadwornych
CHIEF STRATEGIC RELATIONS OFFICER
Located in Germany, Frankfurt am main, Freelance Executive Assistant, Photographer, Designer, Author, and Spiritual Coach
“My heart has always been dedicated to building bridges between people, cultures, and worlds. Over the past years, I have worked to empower individuals and communities through creativity, education, and awareness. I believe that true change begins with compassion and cooperation. Joining Relief Action international allows me to contribute my network, organizational skills, and deep sense of responsibility toward humanity. My intention is to help amplify the voices of those who are often unheard and to create sustainable structures of hope, dignity, and opportunity for the people in need.”
Christian Bahati
CHIEF RELIEF OFFICER
Christian has been working with RAI since 2019 during interventions in areas with high security tensions, particularly in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, during the EBOLA epidemic. As a Regional Director, Christian has positively participated in various interventions with 10 years of experience in humanitarian emergency response. Currently, as Director of Relief, Christian oversees all global interventions in emergency or special operations contexts. Through his experience, he assists our field teams in coordinating interventions and logistics. In his role, he supervises our teams across Global Africa.
Bothina Dawood
CHIEF OPERATIONS DARFOUR
As a special advisor on agriculture and food security to the African Union Youth Assembly, Madam Bothina is among the first personalities to collaborate with RAI. Her commitment to children affected by the ravages of war, her willingness and courage to work even in situations of security risk, make her a very brave woman in the service of humanity. She joined the team in 2023 as a representative in South Sudan. She continues this same mission to this day.
FĂ©licien Nkundiye
CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Mr. FĂ©licien is a young Congolese citizen, dedicated to humanitarian communication. His prominent role in our interventions in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo, his technical contribution, and his personal commitment are key elements that support our teams on the ground. As a communicator, Mr. FĂ©licien ensures the visibility of our organization.
Abdishakur Mohamed
CHIEF OPERATION SOMALIA
Abdishakur Mohamed is an agricultural development and humanitarian operations expert with over eight years of experience at the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation of the Federal Republic of Somalia. He specializes in food security, seed quality management, climate resilience, and rural development. Known for his strong leadership, organizational, and technical coordination skills, Abdishakur combines scientific expertise with field experience to drive impactful programs. He joined Relief Action International in 2023, where he oversees operational programs and ensures the effectiveness of development and emergency initiatives.
Rachel Aurelio
DIRECTOR CORPORATE AND FOUNDATIONS RELATIONSÂ
Ms. Rachel Aurelio serves as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Relief Action International. Based in the Philippines, she works to build meaningful partnerships with companies, philanthropic organizations, and community networks that share a commitment to protecting vulnerable lives. Her role focuses on turning goodwill into concrete support that strengthens emergency response efforts, community resilience, and sustainable development initiatives across the regions we serve.
Alongside her work with Relief Action International, Rachel is also the President of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Makati, where she empowers young leaders to take action for their communities and to build a culture of compassion, collaboration, and shared responsibility.
Rachel’s humanitarian approach is rooted in listening, respect, and solidarity. She believes that lasting impact is created when communities are not only supported but heard, valued, and involved. Her leadership continues to inspire collective action towards a world where dignity, safety, and hope are accessible to all.