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In the past year, conflict and climate change have had a devastating impact on communities around the world. But thanks to generous supporters like you, we could be there for families when they needed us most.
The kindness of our Concern community has meant that in the past year, we have helped 27 million people across 27 countries adapt and survive, by delivering vital assistance to the world’s most vulnerable communities.
In our annual Concerned July newsletter, we highlight some of the life-changing work your support has helped to achieve this year - from responding to crisis in Sudan to providing clean water in Gaza; from helping women in Bangladesh build sustainable livelihoods, to supporting gender equality training in Malawi.
Wherever there is poverty, injustice or inequality, it is all of our concern as a community. Today, your support matters more than ever before and we are so thankful to have you on our side.
Discover how your generosity is changing lives across the globe.
A community enterprise in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a nation with an unshakable spirit, but much of its population are facing some of the worst effects of the climate crisis. Its location and low-lying land make it vulnerable to floods, as well as droughts. In urban areas, many people live with serious economic instability. With your support, Concern is working with people in urban areas to build sustainable incomes.
Our Urban Green Graduation programme provides start-up grants and training in areas like agriculture, textiles and technology to give people the resources they need to support their families in the long term. Crucially for Bangladesh, the work includes disaster and climate-risk management, with community-led projects such as how to manage and mitigate the effects of waterlogging after heavy rainfall or flooding.
One incredible success story is Parvin (pictured above), who transformed a plot of disused land beside her home into a thriving commercial farm. Thanks to the training you’ve helped fund, she now grows vegetables and raises chickens, supporting her family of six while contributing to her community’s food supply. Parvin said: “I am now self-sufficient, growing my own food and selling my own produce. I never imagined this was possible before!”
Another programme participant is Rabeya. Once uncertain about her future, she completed vocational training in how to assemble solar panel circuits. By working with Concern, Rabeya has secured a job that is enabling her to financially support her family. Now, she is saving for her undergraduate studies and her dreams of higher education are becoming reality.
Rabeya told us: "I never dreamed I would be able to get a job and continue my studies. Now, I am dreaming even bigger – of completing my degree and reaching the top jobs in my field!”
There are thousands more success stories, alongside Rabeya and Parvin’s. Thanks to the support of donors like you, over 12,500 individuals have already built sustainable livelihoods, all while safeguarding their communities from environmental threats. The ripple effect of this change is immense: as families gain financial independence, entire communities grow stronger. With each new opportunity, futures are rewritten, hopes are reignited, and people can leave poverty for good.
This change is only possible because of you. Your generosity is having a lasting impact – not just for today, but for generations to come.
Ready for anything - Concern's emergency work
Your support means that when an emergency strikes, we’re able to act quickly and save lives. Emergency Director, Peter Doyle, shares the inside track on how we respond to a crisis.
When an emergency strikes, my team looks to take action within the first 24-48 hours. In conflict or a natural disaster, our initial response depends on whether Concern is already in the country, or if we need to rapidly deploy somewhere new.
In all cases, we look to maximise our impact by going to places other organisations might struggle to get to. The loyalty of our supporters is essential: donations and, in particular, monthly gifts mean that we can act immediately.
We work closely with local communities as they are always the first-responders in a crisis. And in every kind of emergency, we channel our resources and expertise to where they are needed most.
Right now, we’re responding to severe crises around the world, notably Sudan, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ukraine and Gaza.
In Gaza, we’re having to adapt to meet the severe challenges of getting support to the region. To do this, we’ve partnered with CESVI, who have been working in Gaza for decades and have a strong Palestinian team on the ground. Together, we’re supporting life-saving work around water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) projects. In addition, our Concern WASH engineers are providing technical assistance to Palestinian teams to help fix problems remotely, and provide more water and sanitation.
The facts are, right now the need for humanitarian support is rising, while aid budgets have been cut. Today, our emergency response work would not be possible without the generosity of the Irish public. So, on behalf of all of us – thank you.
