ActionAid
ActionAid is an international non-governmental organization whose stated primary aim is to work against poverty and injustice worldwide.
| Formation | 1972 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Cecil Jackson-Cole |
| Type | International NGO |
| Legal status | Nonprofit organization |
| Purpose | ActionAid works with communities to reduce poverty and promote human rights |
| Headquarters | Johannesburg, South Africa |
Region served | Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Americas |
Membership | Child sponsors |
Secretary General | Arthur Larok |
| Website | ActionAid |
ActionAid is a federation of 45 country offices that works with communities, often via local partner organisations, on a range of development issues. It was founded in 1972 by Cecil Jackson-Cole as a child sponsorship charity (originally called Action in Distress) when 88 UK supporters sponsored 88 children in India and Kenya, the primary focus being is providing children with an education, further the human rights for all, assisting people that are in poverty, assisting those who face discrimination, and also assist people who face injustice. ActionAid works with over 15 million people in 45 countries to assist those people.
Today its head office is located in South Africa with hubs in Asia, the Americas and Europe. ActionAid was the first big INGO to move its headquarters from the global north to the global south. ActionAid's current strategy aims to "build international momentum for social, economic and environmental justice, driven by people living in poverty and exclusion".