Global Communities

In 2023, the world faced extraordinary challenges that required a level of resolve and resourcefulness that could not have been achieved in isolation. Drawing from over seven decades of learnings, we partnered with local leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector to meet urgent needs and lay the groundwork for lasting, community-driven development. Our Impact Recap 2023 Annual Report highlights what we were able to accomplish together, across five continents and in nearly 30 countries. Explore encouraging numbers, testimonials and brief summaries from our extraordinary global program teams to learn more about how we helped to create meaningful and measurable change last year: https://lnkd.in/g6QpyTSE

To prevent famine in #Gaza, adequate and sustained levels of humanitarian aid must flow regularly into the country. We continue to serve as the World Food Programme's main implementing partner and have reached more than 100,400 people in the past two weeks with food parcels. Since January, more than 3 million hot meals have been served.

Last year, the USAID Resilience in Pastoral Areas South (RIPA South) project launched an initiative in several communities to restore rangeland through regenerative grazing. Pastoralists were trained in a grazing strategy that promotes soil regeneration and fertility enhancement through the animals’ hoof movements and waste. Approximately 650,600 hectares of degraded rangelands are currently undergoing regeneration and results are already being seen through improved soil moisture and newly sprouted healthy grasses. #Sustainability #RegenerativeGrazing

After a transformative phone call that opened the door to a solar training program, Jacinta and several other women launched WISEe, a cooperative empowering women in sustainable energy. Their first project brought solar power to schools without grid access, and with support from USAID's CLEAR program, they're now enhancing their business skills for further impact. Learn more about Jacinta and the WISEe cooperative's journey: https://bit.ly/3zzmaUo Jacinta's story serves as a reminder of the power of cooperative efforts in building a better future for all. It emphasizes the role of cooperatives in furthering sustainability, community empowerment and innovative business practices. #CoopsDay #Cooperatives #Kenya #CLEAR

María Martínez, a Honduran food producer, overcame market distance challenges by establishing a family garden with support from the USAID - Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance-funded Strengthening the Agricultural System of Honduras (HASS) project. The support not only provided materials for planting, but also training and resources to help diversify her family's diet with fresh produce and enhance crop techniques using water harvesters. Learn more about how HASS is helping to build resilience in the face of climate change: https://bit.ly/3xLSuTj

In 2023, Global Communities provided $21 million of direct cash or voucher assistance to people and families facing crises in six countries around the world. Cash and voucher assistance enables people to overcome crises with dignity by exercising choice and their right to self-determination. Years of research show that cash is one of the most effective ways to support people affected by crisis while protecting and boosting local economies.

Micro-, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives are engines for growth and key to sustaining livelihoods, particularly among women, youth and groups in vulnerable situations. We proudly partner with entrepreneurs as they work to support their families and communities. #MSMEDay

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical gaps and long-standing inequities in health care systems worldwide. Daunting challenges to service delivery and access prompted urgent action not only to combat the spread of the coronavirus but also to become better prepared for future emergencies. With funding from the USAID, we partnered with Ghana Health Service (GHS) to rapidly accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations among hard-to-reach and hard-to-vaccinate populations in northern Ghana. “When the community chief and other influential figures advocated for vaccination, it had a ripple effect, leading to widespread acceptance even among the initially hesitant elderly population,” said Andriana Osam-Dade, a Field Officer for Global Communities - Ghana. “Ensuring these communities are not left behind is essential for a resilient and inclusive health system.” Between March 2023 – when Global Communities started the intervention in coordination with GHS – and February 2024, the COVID-19 vaccination rate in northern Ghana increased from less than 25% to 87%. And together, as part of the broader USAID-funded Global VAX initiative, we provided more than 5.8 million COVID-19 vaccinations in remote areas of northern Ghana. #GlobalHealth #Vaccines #Ghana

The USAID SCORE Activity has been instrumental in fostering inclusion and advocating for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community in Sri Lanka. Starting with just five members in 2019, the Jaffna Transgender Network (JTN) now has 50 members across the country. Through inclusive service delivery workshops and collaborative awareness sessions, members are now welcomed at government offices, building strong connections with local authorities. Angel Queentus, who serves as the director and founder of JTN, says, “The USAID SCORE Activity is the first project that supported JTN. Through peer group sessions like the Pride Camp, we got connected with others from various parts of the country and built a connection. We do not feel lonely anymore.” Global Communities' commitment to confronting historic barriers is more than just a statement—it's a call to action. It's about creating a world where dignity, equity, justice and inclusion aren't just ideals, but realities for every individual. #Pride

Global Communities is working together with incredible partners Corteva Agriscience, Yara International and Massey Ferguson in the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil where climate change threatens the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Through the Prospera initiative, we equip local farmers with climate-optimized corn seeds, fertilizer and training to utilize new tools, fostering sustainable agriculture in the region. This support has significantly boosted yields for small family farmers, jumping from 15 bags of corn per hectare to 130 bags per hectare while also elevating their incomes by approximately 30%. Thank you, Corteva Agriscience, Yara International, and Massey Ferguson for your commitment to sustainability and a brighter future. Making a difference together, one harvest at a time 🌽 🌾