2015 was a year of milestones: from the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals to the new Climate Agreement in Paris. Yet, it also was a year of hardships: the earthquake in Nepal and the immense refugee crisis led to unprecedented suffering. In this Annual Overview, we line up the five most striking events for Cordaid.
1 . Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations chose 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or Global Goals. For example: ending poverty, combating climate change and promoting peace and security – guided by the assertion that no one should be left behind. The Global Goals are the successors of the Millennium Development Goals.
Earlier in 2015 in Addis Ababa, agreements were made on the financing of the Global Goals.
From 2016 onwards, we will actively commit to the achievement of the SDGs.
2 . Helping refugees
The war in Syria, but also wars and disasters in other countries, led to an unparalleled wave of refugees. In Northern Iraq, Lebanon and Turkey, we provide emergency relief to the locally displaced. In addition, we offer support to refugees who came to Europe and we call attention to the refugee crisis in Dutch and foreign media.
3 . Earthquake Nepal
In April, a vehement earthquake shook Nepal. Through a joint public donation campaign (Giro555), 25 million euros were raised. Part of this money we use to shelter IDPs in Rasuwa province. Besides tents, the victims receive trauma counseling, food and hygiene kits and vocational training for a new livelihood.
Because of a border blockade by the Indian government, the situation in Nepal at this moment is alarming, especially now in mid-winter. Cordaid’s partners do their utmost to ensure that victims get all the relief that they need!
Previous Giro555-campaigns, such as the one for typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines (2013) and the campaign against ebola in West-Africa (2014), have been successful. We are proud of the results!
4 . Violence in the Central-African Republic
This year, violent outbursts in the Central-African Republic (CAR) caused hundreds of deaths and a temporary evacuation of the Cordaid office in Bangui. Despite all this, we try to bring the warring factions closer together, for instance through sports and theater. Also Pope Francis visited the CAR to bring about reconciliation.
People living in fragile areas, such as the CAR, need our help the most. Conflict and post-conflict areas like South Sudan, Burundi, East-Congo, Syria and Afghanistan continue to keep our full attention in 2016.
5 . Budget cuts in Dutch foreign aid
2015 brought about major changes for our own organization. It was the last year of the Dutch co-financing system, via which the Dutch government gives financial support to civil society organizations that support its policy implementation. With this support disappearing, we have to make severe budget cuts. With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to many programs and partners, but also to many employees who have committed their best efforts to Cordaid for years.
“You get what you pay for”, said our CEO Simone Filippini in the Volkskrant, a leading Dutch newspaper. “Even though evaluations again and again prove that organizations like Cordaid are very effective in combating poverty and inequality in the world, from now on thousands of heroes who make a difference in the hardest of circumstances come up against a brick wall.”
Cordaid will however enter into two strategic partnerships with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focusing on climate resilience and the voice of civil society in conflict areas respectively.
What’s more?
Beyond these five, there have been many more important moments. For example the historic climate agreement in Paris; the new UN Youth Resolution 2250; 15 years of women, peace and security; the peace deal in South Sudan; the elections in Burundi; the drought in Ethiopia; a couple of wonderful awards; and the success of Dutch cooperatives who managed to return welfare payments to their municipalities.
We feel honored to be part of such a fantastic civil movement and we hope that 2016 may bring us moments that are just as inspiring! Thanks to your support.
A happy and healthy new year to you all!