In East Africa, where we have worked with rural communities for more than 40 years, families experienced a third year of extremely low rainfall and drought coupled with high temperatures. These extreme weather conditions killed crops, land, pastures and livestock. Many felt forced to leave their homes in search of water and food, exhausted by trying to cope with and recover from crisis after crisis. 

Having witnessed this devastation and suffering first-hand, we were disappointed world leaders at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland failed to turn talk into action regarding a dedicated new damages fund for nations vulnerable to climate change. For the communities and countries we work with and for every day, who contribute least to the degradation of our planet yet suffer the most from its effects, there is no time to waste.

Of course, families and communities grappling with the impact of climate change also found themselves increasingly vulnerable to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Africa, the year began with an estimated 55 million more people in critical need of food, money and other resources, as the pandemic rapidly reversed more than two decades of progress in reducing poverty on the continent.

Border closures, movement restrictions and the disruption of supply chains continued to affect people’s ability to earn an income. Food, fuel and fertiliser prices rose and global ambitions to fully vaccinate 40 per cent of Africa’s population fell short, as geopolitical challenges, access inequalities and equipment shortages left less than 10 percent of Africans fully vaccinated.

But, despite the many challenges the COVID-19 pandemic brought, I’m grateful to our colleagues across Africa for once again rising to the challenge and maintaining our support to families with minimal disruption.

During these difficult times, the importance of partnerships becomes ever clearer. In August 2021, we joined forces with a like-minded charity called United Purpose.

Merging with this Cardiff headquartered organisation means we are now part of a network that has the potential to double our reach and allow us to support more than five million people annually, across 17 countries.

We’re excited about what we can achieve together. Self Help Africa and United Purpose each have a proud history of supporting those in greatest need. We are all committed to helping disadvantaged and vulnerable communities take greater control over their own lives through lasting solutions – including helping them to earn more from their work and securing sustainable sources of water, sanitation and hygiene.

We are delighted to be expanding our reach and increasing our offering to households and communities across Africa and beyond. We hope that you will continue with us as we embark on this exciting but challenging journey, in the years ahead.