Annual Report 2021
OUR YEAR IN NUMBERS
WHERE WE WORK
Since our merger with Self Help Africa, United Purpose now works in 17 countries. Find out more about the merger and view our new global footprint here.
THE BIG ISSUES
STORIES FROM OUR WORK
Livelihoods
Image: Elfrida is one of the 95,000 women we supported to increase their incomes
Over the past 40 years, we have built up a wealth of knowledge and expertise in improving livelihoods. We promote livelihoods that can adapt to the demands of a changing climate, and we especially focus on economically empowering women. In 2020-21, we supported over 95,000 women to increase their incomes and provided over 21,000 women with microfinance loans.
Health
Image: Julieta is one of the 101,276 pregnant women we supported
Improving health in the communities where we work is a key focus of ours. Whether it is installing water pumps and training locals how to maintain them, or promoting good nutrition practices, we support people with the tools and resources to make informed choices and lead healthier lives. In 2020-21, we provided 336,627 people with access to safe water and supported 101,276 pregnant women.
Environment
Image: We are working with people like Abdou to protect natural resources (credit: Jason Florio)
Statistics predict that the world’s poorest countries will pay the highest price for climate change. We help communities cope with the changing climate in their region, by adapting how they live and work, and by providing facilities to help them become more resilient to these changes. In 2020-21, we planted 711,589 trees and supported 685,291 people to use fuel-efficient stoves and/or cleaner fuels.
Exploitation
Image: This humble car helped us fight violence against women in Brazil
Many of the communities we work with are fractured and fragile, and experience increasing levels of inequality. We work against violence and exploitation, especially that directed against women and children. We support survivors and place a big emphasis on empowering communities to understand and uphold their rights. We also work to build peace between conflicting groups to promote mutual understanding, trust and resilient social ties. Over the last 20 years, we have successfully implemented over 20 peacebuilding programmes across Africa and South America.
Humanitarian
Image: Our humanitarian response project for Rohingya refugees operates health posts in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
Our approach to humanitarian work is based on responding to situations where we can make the biggest difference. We focus on areas where we already have strong relationships with communities and local authorities, which enables us to respond more quickly and effectively. Unsurprisingly, in 2020-21, our emergency response work focused on COVID.
Sport for good
Image: Children and youth in the Rohingya refugee camps enjoy the playground facilities we built
We use sport as a tool to engage, educate and inspire. In 2020-21, we empowered over 30,000 young people through sport, a number we are committed to growing. Sport is a fantastic way to engage children and adults with important issues as diverse as gender equality, nutrition and good hygiene. Inherently fun and playful, sport has the power to bring people together and encourage positive behaviour change.
FIND OUT MORE
Head over to the full version of our Annual Report (2020-21) to read more about United Purpose’s work .