Annual report and accounts

What we achieved together in 2023

In 2023, we witnessed an increasingly unstable world with wars in DRC, Sudan, Ukraine and Israel-Gaza causing untold devastation to the lives and livelihoods of millions.

The number of refugees worldwide reached unprecedented levels, while the worst drought seen across East Africa in 40 years, induced by climate change, left over 20 million people facing severe hunger.

Together with partner organisations, we continued to respond to many serious humanitarian emergencies around the world, whether caused by conflict, the climate crisis or disasters.

In February 2023, a series of devastating earthquakes hit Türkiye and Syria, causing many people to lose their homes, livelihoods and loved ones. Our presence within the region, coupled with the remarkable generosity of our supporters, meant we were able to implement 11 partnerships with women-led and local organisations across Syria and Türkiye. In the aftermath of the earthquakes, ActionAid partners in the area, like Kareemat and Violet, focused their efforts on providing protection for women, safe shelter and mental health and medical support.

Elsewhere, ActionAid continues to support women and girls working to end gender-based violence. In Senegal, for example, we are championing those who are educating other women and girls in their communities about their rights. One of the ways we are doing this is by supporting the End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting campaign, which is helping mobilise more women to stand against the practice.

As the crisis in Gaza reached its six-month mark, the UN estimated that 10,000 women were killed, amongst them an estimated 6,000 mothers who left more than 19,000 orphan children behind. Women who have survived have been displaced, widowed, and face starvation. ActionAid is doing everything we can to support those affected by this unprecedented conflict.

Throughout 2023 and now, ActionAid continues to place the rights, leadership and voices of women, girls and their movements at the forefront of everything we do.

We are committed to continuing our anti-racism and decolonisation work to further support and fund women’s rights organisations (WROs) and women-led organisations (WLOs) that are helping their communities adapt, respond and succeed.