Annual Report 2009 Terre des hommes-child relief

Responding where needs are greatest

In the current global crisis, Terre des hommes (Tdh) has chosen to respond where needs are greatest. We have remained at the side of 50,000 displaced persons in Darfur, although last year several large international NGOs were forced to pack their bags and leave. In Columbia, hundreds of children are victims of sexual exploitation on the Caribbean coast and we are fighting this activity, not without risk to ourselves. In the Afghan conflict, which is becoming protracted, we are providing healthcare for over 200,000 children and parents in Kandahar and Kabul. In Eastern Europe, we are supporting Roma communities rejected in their home regions. Just four examples from the 33 countries where we are active.

It is impossible for Tdh to do everything and so we have either stopped or handed over our Swiss programmes for child rights. We are concentrating our experience and knowledge on providing healthcare and protection for those most vulnerable the one million children and their families who can become more independent with our help.

Terre des hommes marks its 50th anniversary in 2010. Ongoing events are celebrating 50 years of helping children to a better future. But we are also looking ahead. We still face immense tasks wherever child rights are being abused, in Haiti* (where after the earthquake we are carrying out our largest operation since 1960) and in other places throughout the world.

You have made it possible for us to double the financial volume of our aid in the last eight years. To you – all our volunteers, paid staff, donors and sponsors – we say a huge “Thank you” for your support, which helps to improve so many lives.

Heinrich von Grünigen, President and Peter Brey, Secretary General /CEO