STAYING HUMAN

I’ve chosen to add this category in response to the horrific violence and suffering now unfolding in Ukraine – but sadly, this is not the only major humanitarian crisis in the world today. The mainstream media gives far less attention to the desperate plight of millions of other people – in such troubled countries as Yemen, Afghanistan, Palestine, Myanmar, Haiti and various parts of Africa – but their needs are just as urgent and desperate. The charities in my Staying Human group are all dedicated to helping such people, including those whom the world’s wealthiest governments, politicians and media organisations choose to largely ignore.

I selected six charities to include in my Staying Human group – but I’m still awaiting final approval from one of them, so only five are listed below. I’m sure I’ll soon be able to update this page, as well as the more detailed, Staying Human page which is linked below.

  • In the listings below, I give a brief description of each charity in my Staying Human category, plus a link to their website, for further information.

  • If you decide to hire me, for any of my photography-based services, you may choose Staying Human as your Charity Preference.

  • This means that when you make payment, half my net income from the work I undertake for you will be divided between the charities listed below.

  • Of course, you may also donate directly to any of these charities. Just click on the donations button, which opens the charity’s fundraising page.

  • Two of the charities listed below have special donations pages for their appeals relating to the crisis in Ukraine. I’ve added links for these, too.

CARE INTERNATIONAL

CARE International is a humanitarian charity which delivers emergency relief and long-term development projects in 104 countries. Founded in the USA at the end of World War II, with the aim of providing emergency relief to the peoples of Europe, it is one of the largest and oldest aid global organizations to focus on fighting global poverty. CARE International UK is just one of fourteen autonomous national members, which collectively operate in 104 countries worldwide. In 2020, CARE International directly reached 92.3 million people through 1,349 humanitarian and development projects and initiatives. CARE focuses especially on working with women and girls, since they are disproportionately affected by extreme poverty, throughout the world. CARE's programmes address a wide range of goals including emergency response, food security, water and sanitation, economic development, climate change, agriculture, education, and health. CARE also advocates at the local, national, and international levels for policy change and the rights of poor people. 

THE REFUGEE COUNCIL

The Refugee Council is a leading charity working with refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK. It's mission is to support and empower people who have made the heart breaking decision to flee conflict, violence and persecution in order to rebuild their lives here in the UK. Each year, the Refugee Council works with over 13,000 women, men and children who are desperately seeking safety. Its activities include:

  • Providing crisis advice, mental health counselling and practical support to help people settle and integrate into their new community

  • Providing specialised care and support for refugee children who arrive in the UK alone

  • Working with refugees and partner organisations to campaign for improvements to the asylum protection system

  • Working to inspire positive changes in public attitudes towards refugees and people seeking asylum

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Habitat for Humanity is one of the world's leading housing charities. The crisis it addresses is daunting: 1.6 billion people, today, live in slums or substandard housing – which negatively affects their health and well-being, educational prospects, and ability to make a living, locking them into a world of inescapable poverty. Habitat vision is a world where everyone has a safe place to call home, in which families can achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance. Working in nearly 70 countries, Habitat for Humanity supports the most marginalised and vulnerable people in society. Since 1976, by working hand in hand with communities in nearly 70 countries, Habitat as provided over 1 million homes and helped over 10 million people.

SURVIVAL INTERNATIONAL

Survival International is a human rights organisation which campaigns for the rights of indigenous and/or tribal peoples and uncontacted peoples. It was founded in 1969 by a small group of people appalled by a Sunday Times exposé of land thefts, massacres and genocide taking place in the Amazon. Its many successful campaigns, over the years, have relied upon the active participation of thousands of dedicated volunteers, working to put public pressure upon governments, corporations and other powerful institutions which threaten the human rights, lands, lives and well-being of indigenous peoples. To ensure its independence and freedom of action, Survival accepts no government funding.

MERCY RELIEF

Mercy Relief is a humanitarian charity specialising in providing urgently needed aid to the people of Yemen. Founded within Birmingham's British-Yemeni community in 2008, the charity's original focus was on sponsorship of orphans in Yemen, but the catastrophic impact of war with Saudi Arabia has expanded its mission. Mercy Relief's Yemen appeal has funded and developed support infrastructures at a grass-root level in areas most affected by the violence, making it possible to distribute food, medical aid, water and other life-saving resources to those most in need. But Mercy Relief has broader aspirations, aiming to extend its projects and programmes to other parts of the Middle East, Asia and Africa, irrespective of national, ethnic, gender or religious boundaries. Where the need is present, Mercy Relief will aim to be one of the first responders, regardless of any other considerations.