Eight Greater Manchester charities benefit 5m people in one year
Melanie May | 20 September 2021 | News
Just eight humanitarian organisations, all based in Greater Manchester, benefited the lives of more than five million of the world’s most vulnerable people in 2020.
The impact of the eight global organisations headquartered in the city was revealed at an event last week, hosted by the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), in partnership with Syria Relief and the University of Manchester’s Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (HCRI).
Greater Manchester, Global Manchester was staged at Manchester’s People’s History Museum. It saw MAG, Syria Relief, HCRI, UK-Med, Hope for Justice, In Place of War, Omega Research Foundation and GISF showcase their work to guests including MPs Afzal Khan and Mike Kane, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Manchester, and culture and business leaders.
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The eight organisations announced that their work had supported over five million people across more than 100 countries last year, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
Afzal Khan, the Manchester Gorton MP and Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons, said:
“I am delighted to see the humanitarian community coming together to demonstrate what a powerful and positive impact Manchester has around the world. From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, and from clearing landmines to fighting modern slavery, Manchester NGOs and charities are making a real difference by supporting communities in some of the most vulnerable and conflict-affected countries across the world.”
MAG CEO Darren Cormack said:
“MAG is delighted to host this event to celebrate the life-saving humanitarian work that organisations across Manchester are undertaking every day.
“Whilst global in nature, employing 5,000 staff and working in over 25 countries, we are also proudly Mancunian. We take inspiration from our city’s rich history of innovation and social change as we carry out our mission to save lives and build futures for people affected by conflict.”
Syria Relief CEO Othman Moqbel spoke at the event about the importance of charities and humanitarian organisations based outside of London:
“Manchester is a Northern Humanitarian Powerhouse. It’s home to not just some of the leading charities and NGOs in the UK but in the world. The eight organisations joining us tonight reached a combined total of over five million women, girls, boys and men in over 100 countries in 2020. That’s amazing — and it speaks volumes of the kind of globally connected and compassionate city Manchester is.”
The event also saw the official signing of a new partnership between HCRI and MAG, which aims to develop research to help the world move more quickly and efficiently towards the goal of a landmine-free future.
About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.