Message from the Chair of the Board and the Chief Executive

Our fight to end poverty was as relentless in 2006 as it has been in any other year.  And this year the end came that bit closer, as we were joined by more supporters than ever before.

Our focus and energy was on working with poor people in the fight for their rights and justice. In 2006, we reached out to many more poor and excluded people and communities, and we particularly reached out to more women.

We stand shoulder to shoulder with poor women to end the cycle of violence inflicted against them, and to help them claim their rights to land, inheritance and livelihood, and encourage more girls into school. Together with members of the women's and feminist movement, we laid down the first steps in building a strong global alliance of women standing against HIV and AIDS.

Our campaigning with partners and supporters has contributed to 40 million more children now in school than at at the start of the decade.  We will not stop until the remaining 70 million still being denied an education are in school, and receiving a quality education.  ActionAid’s campaigning helped to persuade the Kenyan government to make antiretroviral treatment free at all public hospitals. Today, 44% of Kenyan people living with HIV and AIDS access these lifesaving drugs, compared to just 5% six years ago.

But the big picture for poor people is still very bleak.  Chronic malnutrition is rising, conflict and political repression still undermines security, and poor people are denied their rights and justice day after day.  Climate change is a growing threat to the livelihoods of the poorest and most vulnerable, as we know from our own research with poor farmers in Malawi, Bangladesh and elsewhere.

2006 was a year of personal tragedy and hardship for us too.  In May, three of our women colleagues, Ms. Karima, Ms. Benafsha and Ms. Sadat and Mr. Ahmad Shah, their driver that day, were shot and killed when travelling to work in northern Afghanistan.  In Ethiopia, our colleagues Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demessie marked their first year of imprisonment for their involvement in the Global Call to Action against Poverty. Conflict and insecurity in Haiti and Congo, and political instability in Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Uganda and Bangladesh continue to threaten the work and safety of our colleagues. We will always have to face risks when challenging power and demanding accountability, but we strive to manage these risks with sensitivity and care. 

We made significant progress towards delivering our vision in 2006.  But, until we all end poverty we will always feel that we could do more, and better.  The resilience and aspirations of our partners in poorer countries ensure that we are never complacent and inspire us to make further progress.  

We thank our sponsors, supporters and donors for their continued solidarity and support, and our partners for their mutual trust and cooperation. We are grateful to our Trustees, who guide and govern us with thought and wisdom, and we are proud of our staff and volunteers worldwide for their energy and hard work.

Noerine Kaleeba Chair of the Board of Trustees ActionAid International

Ramesh Singh Chief Executive ActionAid International