The group was established in 1989. The organization stated that it focused helping refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine. On its website, the group claimed, "Our mission is to find and implement practical solutions for human suffering through humanitarian programs that impact the lives of the disadvantaged, disinherited, and displaced peoples suffering from man-made and natural disasters."
Media reports say that the group raised 13 million dollars in 2000.
On December 4, 2001, the organization's Richardson, Texas headquarters were shut down. Offices in San Diego, California, Bridgeview, Illinois, and Paterson, New Jersey were also investigated and shuttered.