Diakonia’s
Annual Report
2024
2024 was a year of many challenges. Destruction and unimaginable suffering in Gaza, war in Lebanon and Ukraine, attacks on human rights defenders in Cambodia and on dissidents in Nicaragua. The lack of funding became increasingly apparent as needs grew.
As Diakonia, our strength is that we always work with local organizations. We know that longterm development cooperation builds resilience and reduces the need for and cost of emergency relief. Everyone is entitled to a dignified life. Together with people around the world, we come up with intelligent and sustainable solutions to the world’s big problems.
THE YEAR IN NUMBERS
Diakonia's operational expenses
92 percent on our Activities
6 percent on Administration
2 percent on our Fundraising work
41.9
million Swedish kronor raised
Around 350
partner organizations in Africa, Asia,
Latin America and the Middle East
467
million Swedish kronor in operational
expenses
AFRICA
2024 was a super election year with record numbers of elections worldwide, including in Africa. At the same time, we witnessed the democratic space shrinking rapidly in several countries. To find new paths towards an inclusive democracy that supports young people’s participation, we launched the global project Rethinking Democracy. In Kenya, large numbers of young people took part in demonstrations against controversial tax rises. Diakonia’s partner organizations provided the protesters with medical treatment and legal support, documented police brutality and helped ensure that the protesters detained were released. Anti-LGBTQI legislation was made more stringent in Uganda, Mali and Burkina Faso.
85
employees in the region
150
million Swedish kronor in
operational expenses
32%
of Diakonia's operational expenses
Young women making their presence felt
Burkina Faso. Here, Diakonia supports a feminist movement in which experienced women’s rights defenders, social leaders and young activists collaborate to challenge patriarchal structures and affect change. In 2024 74 young women journalists, influencers, politicians and members of organizations received training in democracy and human rights and were provided with the tools to become more active in decision-making and promoting young women’s participation in democratic processes. Arielle, Sacarlene and Fatimata are three of the women who took part.
1 800
1 800 families in Kenya received help to adapt their farming to climate change and now have secure access to food.
ASIA
2024 was a year of political change and social challenges in Asia. In Cambodia, human rights defenders continued to be oppressed and civil society saw further restrictions. In Thailand, the parliament voted down the winner of the election, at the same time, the human rights situation was challenging. The humanitarian crisis in Myanmar was exacerbated due to war. In Bangladesh, mass demonstrations raised hopes of democratic reform. Sri Lanka stabilised economically, with new political leadership raising hopes of lower corruption.
38
employees in the region
56
million Swedish kronor in operational expenses
12%
of Diakonia's operational expenses
Phally’s life was transformed
Cambodia. Ten years ago, Phally Norm was involved in a road accident, severely injuring one of her legs. Besides the pain and mobility difficulties, she has also faced discrimination and stigmatisation. Things turned around when she joined Diakonia’s partner organization Women’s Resource Center, WRC. The organization provides support and training to women and girls with disabilities. Phally’s confidence has grown and she is now able to express her needs and assert her rights. She was given help with starting a small business and now teaches children Cambodian and raises chickens.
12 276
12 276 girls took part in the Cycling Project in 2024.
LATIN AMERICA
Major political and social changes took place in Latin America during the year. The space for civil society continued to decline in several countries. In Paraguay, a new law was passed to establish greater control over human rights organizations. Venezuela held a contested presidential election marked by violence and controversy. But there is also positive news. At the UN Biodiversity Conference, COP16, held in Colombia, a permanent subsidiary body for indigenous peoples and local communities was established, a key achievement for Diakonia’s partner organizations, which have long been engaged in advocacy work on these issues.
59
employees in the region
149
million Swedish kronor
in operational expenses
32%
of Diakonia's operational expenses
Game to combat violence against women
Paraguay. Diakonia worked with 24 other organizations in Paraguay to develop Fuega, a board game to raise awareness of men’s violence against women. The game helps players recognise the warnings and early signs of violence, which can help prevent it. It also encourages reflection on the norms and attitudes on which violence is based while highlighting women’s historical struggle for justice and equality. Fuega is an engaging tool that promotes a change in attitudes and behaviours, helping to combat gender-based violence in a sustainable manner.
1 000
Over 1 000 people took part in Diakonia’s special programmes to strengthen democracy in Peru, Honduras and Colombia.
MENA
Middle East and North Africa
The region has been hard hit by wars and conflicts between major powers. Israel’s war in Gaza caused tens of thousands of deaths and indescribable human suffering. On the West Bank, violence against Palestinians escalated further. Diakonia’s partner organizations distributed food, water, blankets, mattresses and other necessities, and provided children in Gaza and the West Bank with medical treatment and psychosocial support. Israeli attacks in Lebanon displaced more than a million people. Our partner organizations immediately adapted their activities to provide urgent assistance to IDPs. Egypt was experiencing an economic crisis. We focused on boosting civil society’s efforts in the areas of gender equality and women’s rights during the year.
17
employees in the region
35
million Swedish kronor in
operational expenses
8%
of Diakonia's operational expenses
Emergency relief in Lebanon
Lebanon. The war in Gaza generated fear and uncertainty throughout the region. In Lebanon, Israel waged war against Iran-backed Hezbollah. Thousands of people, many of them civilians, were killed. One million people were displaced. Diakonia’s partner organizations Female and Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering (RDFL) distributed food, medicines and hygiene items to affected families. They also offered temporary accommodation and psychosocial support.
140
140 teachers and social workers were trained in children’s rights, teaching methods and gender equality in the School Project in Egypt.
International Humanitarian Law
In 2024, with the humanitarian situation acute in many parts of the world and the rules-based world order under threat, the IHL Centre expanded to cover further areas. This included expanding the team covering East Africa. The IHL Centre has established itself as a unique, specialised, credible and in-demand resource for humanitarian actors. During the year, IHL Centre staff featured in international media reports on several occasions, including from the BBC and The Canary, covering issues such as the situation in Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine and Lebanon.
The Jerusalem team monitored developments in Israel and Gaza and spoke out on issues including Israel’s imprisonment of thousands of Palestinians from Gaza, the siege of northern Gaza, Israel’s responsibility for settler violence in the West Bank, and restrictions on civil and political rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Bamako team provided rapid legal analysis to relief organizations and trained key actors in international humanitarian law. Particular focus was directed at areas in Mali severely impacted by violence, with local organizations acquiring greater knowledge of international humanitarian law.
The Beirut team provided basic legal support and training, answered questions and assisted humanitarian actors and organizations with difficult legal challenges.
The global team developed materials on protecting civilians in armed conflict, which can be used by relief organizations and others.
Our work in Sweden
Fighting for strong Swedish development cooperation
2024 was a year of uncertainty and rearmament in Sweden, too. Despite major need in the world, the Swedish Government continued to cut development assistance and focus more sharply on our immediate surroundings. Sweden’s development cooperation policy thus abandoned the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. Diakonia has been working to restore development assistance to one percent of GNI by contacting decision-makers and people in the media.
Diakonia was in close contact with congregations all over Sweden during the year. They talked about our work at church services, during theme nights and at other gatherings. Congregations pushed for a more sustainable and effective development cooperation policy and raised funds for Diakonia’s activities. They continued to be an important voice in support of robust Swedish development cooperation and global solidarity.
150
150 congregations made a donation to Diakonia in 2024.
Our work in Sweden
Diakonia on Agenda
Diakonia took part in the debate on development cooperation and its effectiveness during the year. The debate that probably had the most impact was that between Diakonia’s Secretary General Mattias Brunander and the Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa in Swedish public service channel SVT’s Agenda programme.
Supporting children
The Uniting Church in Sweden in Fiskebäck organizes a children’s market every term, always focusing on projects supporting children. In 2024 the spotlight was on the work in Gaza and the School Project in Egypt. One thousand people visited the church on each occasion, and part of the proceeds from the sales of second-hand items were shared between the international work of the Uniting Church in Sweden and Diakonia. The congregation’s fantastic efforts generated over SEK 100 000 for Diakonia in 2024.
WE SEE THE STRUGGLE, THE HOPE AND THE FAITH IN THE FUTURE
2024 was a year of many challenges. Destruction and unimaginable suffering in Gaza, war in Lebanon and Ukraine, attacks on human rights defenders in Cambodia and on dissidents in Nicaragua. In the US, Donald Trump won the presidential election and in Sweden, our government dismantled development assistance, with devastating consequences for people living in poverty and oppression.
Yes, there was already a great deal to keep us awake at night in 2024. But, as always, we also saw another side of the situation. We saw the struggle, the hope and the faith in the future. Because we work with people. Vulnerable people cannot afford to give up. For their own sake, and for that of their children and their fellow human beings, they fight on. Always. People have inner strength. We know that. We see it every day. And when subjugated people are aware of their rights, when they succeed in rising up, it is hard for dictators and authoritarian leaders to oppress them again. As Diakonia and as fellow human beings, it is our task to be there, to help in the small ways we are able to, to make life morebearable. Because we believe in the equal dignity of all people. That everyone should be equal before the law. In justice.
The rules-based world order was put to the test during the year. We welcome the fact that the International Criminal Court adhered to its rules, issuing an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, among others. Laws must be followed, regardless of the perpetrator or their political affiliations.
The vision of a just and righteous society is old, but not obsolete. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah called upon those in power to loose the chains of injustice, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free. Today, that exhortation is perhaps more urgent than ever.
Mattias Brunander
Secretary General
Pether Nordin
Chairperson