News overview

Fear for up-coming food shortages in the Sahel Region

Early warning signals predict that the Sahel region in Africa may be facing serious food shortages in the coming months. Food insecurity in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and Mauritania is not a new problem. However, the current situation is so alarming that the United Nations as well as the European Union are warning for a crisis.

Rekindling hope for rural reform in the Philippines

The recent 14-0 decision of the Supreme Court on November 22, 20110 that favoured the redistribution of Hacienda Luisita, came as a breath of fresh air that have inspired rural reform advocates in the Philippines. The decision capped decades of difficult, and often times bloody, struggle of farm workers to own the lands they till. As a result, hope for reform has been rekindled and demands for the land redistribution of the remaining 1.4 million hectares targeted under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) have been raised.

Novamedia/Postcode Lotteries world's third largest donor

The Dutch Novamedia/Postcode Lotteries is the third-largest private charity donor in the world. This was announced last December by City A.M., a popular business-focused newspaper in London. ICCO has been one of these beneficiaries since 2008.

Novamedia/Postcode Lotteries world's third largest donor

Durban deal only the start, says ACT Alliance

ACT Alliance welcomes the hard-fought political victory championed by the EU, small island states and the least developed countries in the waning hours of the UN climate conference in Durban, where governments of the world's largest polluters finally agreed to the principle of a global plan to tackle climate change.

Postcode Lottery in Colombia with ICCO

Last week, the Dutch National Postcode Lottery visited several projects of ICCO in Colombia. The Lottery, who is an important donor for ICCO, regularly visits projects of their beneficiaries. This year, the Lottery's managing director and several members of their Supervisory Board wanted to visit project of ICCO in Colombia. This past week, they were in Bogota, together with ICCO's chairman of the Executive Board, Marinus Verweij and others.

ICCO Climate and Fairtrade at COP17: make climate finance work for communities and farmers

The ICCO Climate Program and its South African partner Nova Institute joined forces with Fairtrade International to host a side event on day three of the COP17 climate talks in Durban. The objective was to explore how climate finance could and should work for poor communities and farmers in developing countries.

EU grants 4,55 million for conflict reduction in Kyrgystan

The EU has granted EUR 4.55 million to TASK, a group of international humanitarian organisations including ICCO, to support their work reducing and alleviating the after-effects of the conflict in 2010 and preventing further escalation of conflicts. ACT Alliance - CA headed by DanChurchAid spearheads this work.

Postcode Lottery visits ICCO in Colombia

This month, the Dutch Postcode Lottery will travel to Colombia to visit several of ICCO's projects in Colombia. The Lottery, who is an important donor for ICCO, regularly visits projects of their beneficiaries. This year, they wanted to visit ICCO, as the destination of this visit, they chose Colombia.

ICCO 4th in Dutch Charity Top 50

In the Top 50 of Dutch Charities of the Dutch national newspaper Trouw ICCO ranks fourth. The Top 50 has been set up in co-operation with CIGD (organization for public information about charities) and the Erasmus University of Rotterdam. The list ranks the transparency of the charity and how big the chance is that the charity will accomplish a high social goal. ICCO scored 8 out of 9 points on transparency, 11 out of 11 points on the quality of the organizational aspects and 10 out of 14 point on how well projects are set up, how much beneficiaries are involved and evaluation.

Challenging our partners to think about change

"How can we eradicate poverty and fight injustice? How can we change things in the Central and Eastern part of Africa?" With these central questions we started our "Theory of Change" workshop, to be incorporated in our strategic plan 2015. All our Program Officers and assistants, working in seven different countries and from three different offices, came together to think about our theory of change. We aimed to focus on what matters and what works.

Accountability biggest challenge to the fight against hunger

The 2011 edition of the Right to Food and Nutrition Watch identifies accountability as the most immediate challenge to the fight against hunger. Human rights and state obligations go hand in hand - rights can only be realized when they are effectively enforced. This is sadly not the situation in many countries, as the case studies in this edition of the Watch illustrate.

Bram van Leeuwen: "It gave meaning to my life"

After 35 years of dedicated work, Bram van Leeuwen is leaving ICCO. Without hesitation one can say that Bram had great merits for the organization and many partners abroad and the Netherlands.

Less vulnerable to climate change with ICCO

Imagine: existing Fairtrade producer organizations setting up projects, which make them less vulnerable to climate change and which contribute to sustainable livelihood improvement while being financed on the basis of the generation of carbon credits. This is what the Max Havelaar Foundation (an independent Dutch fair trade certification organization) and ICCO aim for in our Fairtrade Climate Program.

Update on the drought in Africa

Civilians in the Netherlands have raised over 25 million euros for the victims of the drought in the Horn of Africa during a national campaign in July and August, which was coordinated by ICCO and Kerk in Actie.

Haitian partner donates paintings

Last November ICCO's government contribution was strongly reduced with about thirty percent. This large discount has enormous consequences on our financial support to counterpart organizations worldwide. After we had informed them, ICCO received a long letter of the Haitian partner Aprosifa. They wanted gladly to return something to ICCO for the many years of support. They offered us 25 beautiful paintings, made by four young Haitian artists from the slums of Port-au-Prince. The paintings will be sold on auction and the revenues will flow back to emergency aid projects of ICCO and Kerk in Actie.

ICT can offer leverage to improve living standards of the BoP

Information en Communication Technology (ICT) can viably provide access to education, healthcare, agro-services or financial services to the Base of the Pyramid (BoP). This is the conclusion of a study conducted by Hystra and Ashoka sponsored by AFD, Ericsson, France Telecom-Orange, ICCO and TNO. The study provides new insights on successful and sustainable business models that result in a positive socio-economic impact on the BoP: 4 billion people who live on and income of less than 2 dollars per day. The study describes 15 of the most innovative and market-based business models.

ICCO on Responsible Microfinance

OnJuly 28 ICCO delivered a talk on responsible microfinance to 258 local and foreign delegates from the private and public sectors who attended the Microfinance Council of the Philippines’ annual conference on responsible microfinance held at the Hyatt Hotel Manila.

ICCO started emergency aid in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.

ICCO started emergency aid in all three countries that have been stricken with the worst drought since 60 years: Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. We are also working on long term solutions for food-security in the region. ICCO co-operates with Kerk in Actie and other partners in its ACT Alliance network.

Drought in Ethiopia - a personal story

Since last year, Rachel Kyozira is program officer at the regional office of ICCO and Kerk in Actie in Kampala, Uganda. She is responsible for the co-ordination of emergency aid programs, amongst other things. She visited Ethiopia last week and giver her personal strory about what she found there.

Drought in the Horn of Africa

Already more than 5 million euro has been raised in the SHO campaign (Giro 555). As member of the SHO, ICCO and Kerk in Actie will receive a percentage of the raised amount.

ICCO and Oikocredit affirm joint commitment to development

The Dutch development agency ICCO and Oikocredit International signed a five-year contract of cooperation for a total amount of EUR 15 million. The contract is a renewal of a long-standing partnership between the two organizations.

Philippine lands reclaim success after 10 years of struggle

Sixty-eight farmer-beneficiaries finally took over Hacienda Bacan in Isabela, Negros Occidental, in a tightly guarded installation ceremony on June 28. This happened in spite of the objections of one of the former landowners, Negros congressman and former presidential brother-in-law Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo.

Terrafina Annual Report 2010 now online

Terrafina Microfinance is a program of ICCO, Oikocredit and Rabobank Foundation to stimulate microfinance in rural Africa. The Terrafina Annual Report 2010 is now online.

Ambassadors Postcode Lottery enthusiastic about ICCO project in Brazil!

New: Annual reports 2010 of ICCO and ICCO Alliance

The ICCO Alliance Annual Report 2010 and ICCO Financial Report 2010 have been published and can be downloaded.

Role of women important for economic development

The mobile cassava processing unit of the Philippine entrepreneur Nathalie Arsonillo has won the special prize during the final event of the Women in Business Challenge of BiD Network, sponsored by ICCO and ING. The prize with a value of 5.000 euro for technical assistance was presented by Corine Heijn of United Succes.

Win 500.000 for green ideas in the Green Challenge 2011!

The Registration for the annual "Green Challenge" has just opened! The Green Challenge is an international competition for innovative ideas that contribute to the reduction of the greenhouse effect.

ICCO Alliance presents its new gender policy

The ICCO Alliance published its new gender policy on the occasion of the 100th International Women's Day. This gender policy, entitled "Unlearning gender”, focuses on the way we learn and change with regard to gender equality, with the aim of equal opportunities and rights for women and men.

Pakistan: six months after the floods

How is Pakistan faring in the six months since torrential rain caused massive flooding? And why the problem hasn't gone away.

Religious leaders deplore intolerance and hatred in wake of David Kato's death

What do you mean we are undermining the government?

ICCO will not change policy after discussion with Dutch foreign minister

Thursday the 13th of January ICCO discussed its funding of the website The Electronic Intifada with Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Uri Rosenthal. It was a tough and straightforward discussion, but ICCO sees no reason to change its policy. International law is the main guideline for ICCO's work.

‘ICCO will pursue a social line' - interview with Marinus Verweij

He has just taken on his new responsibilities and yet the new chairman of the ICCO Executive Board, Marinus Verweij, is already working very hard. Due to the subsidy decision, cutting back on ICCO's funding by some forty percent, he is forced to make some very painful decisions. "This is quite the wake-up call."

Fair deal for the climate

Climate change was the topic of a discussion in the Mexican seaside resort Cancun, led by UNFCCC, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at the beginning of this month. ICCO & Kerk in Actie participate in an international climate-oriented group of development organizations. They drew attention to six issues in Cancun.

ICCO partner wins BBC Award

Yachachiqs are the heroes of the Peruvian farming community, because thanks to these experienced farmers, ICCO partner IAA from Peru came in second place in the BBC World Challenge with its Sierra Productiva development model.

ICCO and COP 16 in Cancun

ENOUGH=ENOUGH

ENOUGH=ENOUGH

Dutch development organizations joining hands in action against budget cuts

Women in Business Challenge 2010-2011

The sector competition organised by BiD Network is opened. Women entrepreneurs can submit their business proposals for Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Tomas threatens half a million in Haiti

As tropical storm Tomas hits Haiti, aid network ACT Alliance is working to lessen the blow.

No women no Peace!

In the context of a Peace Fair marking the 10th anniversary of United Nations Security Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, representatives of faith-based groups met 26 October 2010 to discuss how to strengthen the voices of women of faith at all levels of peace building and conflict transformation as well as how to change the tone of the debate on peace, security and women when it comes to religion.

Strengthening collaboration of Dutch organizations active in Mali

Aux représentants des organisations non-gouvernementales néerlandaises au Mali  ...

Strengthening collaboration of Dutch organizations active in Mali

Aux représentants des organisations non-gouvernementales néerlandaises au Mali  ...

Kyrgyzstan: Healing wounds of conflict

Mahmuda is the family doctor in an Uzbek neighbourhood of Kyrgyzstan’s second largest city, Osh, which was badly damaged in the ethnic clashes in June. When Mahmuda returned from holiday two weeks after the clashes, her main task was to change the bandages of the wounded who had received only first aid at a nearby oncology unit.

New publication Developement in international cooperation

ICCO was founded on 31 December 1964 and remembers in the new publication ‘Development in international cooperation' its 45th anniversary. But there is another important reason to issue the book. In 2010 there is a strong debate in the Netherlands about the future of development cooperation.

Right to Food and Nutrition Watch 2010

On the occasion of World Food Day 2010, the second issue of the Right to Food and Nutrition Watch will be presented to the public in over twenty countries by representatives of the thirteen civil society organizations that are working together to publish this review. The Right to Food and Nutrition Watch is the first and only international periodical review that monitors state actors' actions related to the realization of the right to food and nutrition.

KLM promotes ICCO partner OELA!

MDGs: Falling short on many fronts

New solutions to the multiple catastrophes of financial crisis, food insecurity, climate change, gender gap, disregard for human rights and unfair trade are harming work on the Millennium Development Goals.

ICCOs Regional Office for South East Asia opened

Opening ICCO's regional office for South East Asia & Pacific

This week the official opening of ICCO's regional office for South East Asia & Pacific will take place! On September 25, the office will be opened by the chairman of the Board of Directors, mr Jack van Ham.

Pakistan: children growing up quickly

Sometime after 9pm, young Rizvan was at home in Badalai village, in the Swat district, with his parents and siblings. It was the second day of incessant rain the likes of which, so the elders said, they had never witnessed before. The word around his village was that this was the second deluge.

Pakistan – How does a family regain its footing after it loses everything?

As flood waters recede, that is a question being asked millions of times over as Pakistanis begin the painful steps of reclaiming their lives following a month of grim disruption, loss, and trauma.

RO & RC South America officially established

It´s official: the Regional Council and the Regional Office for South America have been officially installed and inaugurated! Last week was an intense one in which different parallel activities took place. A report by Regional Manager Conny Toornstra and a short video will be ready shortly, as well as the reports of the RC meeting and strategic visits.

Pakistan: Story of Survival

“What hope do you have for the future?” I asked. Fifty-three year-old Khaista Khan of Badalai near Madyan in Swat, who had conducted himself with remarkable fortitude until then, broke down. Holding his face in his hands with great courage he fought back the tears. “I don’t even know what hope means anymore,” he said finally.

New chairman of the ICCO Executive Board is Marinus Verweij

Marinus Verweij (52) has been appointed as of 1 November new chairman of the Executive Board of ICCO. He will learn the ropes in the course of November and December from Jack van Ham, the current Chairman of the Executive Board who will be leaving the organisation on 1 January 2011.

Desmond Tutu calls for conviction of activist Abdallah Abu Rahmah to be overturned

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, chair of The Elders, has expressed his concern about the conviction of Palestinian activist Abdallah Abu Rahmah, who works for Stop the Wall, an ICCO partner, by an Israeli military court.

ICCO in Pakistan

Food items funded by ICCO are being transported through local boat system across the river to the cut off areas affected by recent flood in Swat valley.

World Humitarian Day

Today, Humanitarian Day takes place.

Disappeared peasant leader in Honduras found murdered

ICCO is shocked by reports that Honduras peasant leader Teresa de Jesus Flores Elvir, 52 years and mother of 14 children, was found murdered last Wednesday, 11th of August.

Pre-announcement symposium: International Cooperation, the future?

A debate on the future of international cooperation. After the symposium we will say our farewells to Jack van Ham.

Madagascar Symposium Amsterdam

Past 28 June 2010 a Madagascar Symposium was held at the VU in Amsterdam. Here several speakers shared their insights on the topic: Whose development? A critical lens on development issues in contemporary Africa Madagascar Symposium Amsterdamand Madagascar.

ACT Alliance: Need for support in Haiti continues

Six months after the devastating earthquake hit Haiti, the country is recovering slowly from the massive consequences caused by the quake. Emergency phase has been more time consuming than expected and many Haitians are still in need of emergency aid.

ICCO's education partner Tin Tua in Burkina Faso has received a UNESCO award

Tin Tua's self-help philosophy makes communities bloom Source: © UNESCO  ...

ACT Alliance calls on the international community to lead investigations into the civil conflict in Kyrgyzstan

The civil conflict in southern Kyrgyzstan, which erupted in the first half of June, was characterised by extreme violence, hatred and cruelty. Women, children, elderly and men of different ethnic groups, in particular Kyrgyz and Uzbek, are still traumatised by what they have experienced in these past weeks, including loss of loved ones and reports of rape. 560,000 people are in immediate need of food, water, shelter and medical care.

Video online - Verkuyl lecture: The Value of We

On 26th May the ICCO-alliance organised the Verkuyl lecture. This lecture was held for the fourth time and is named after dr. Jo Verkuyl, founder of ICCO In 1964.

Women on Wheels from India winner the Women in Business challenge

The BID challenge network event took place in The Hague on the 2nd of June. Willemijn Lammers, head of the department for FED, presented the Women in Business award to Meenu Vadera of the Women on Wheels organization from India.

ICCO shocked about murder of Congolese human rights activist

ICCO and Kerk in Actie are shocked to hear about the death of our longstanding partner Floribert Chebeya, an important human rights activist in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has been found dead in his car in Kinshasa. According to reliable sources he was murdered.

Kenya's Hunger Crisis - the Result of Right to Food Violations

Kenya suffers from recurring drought. The situation during the past three years, however, has reached levels unparalleled in living memory.

Resolution from ngo's Kyrgyzstan

Urgent Forum of Civil Society Organizations of the Kyrgyz Republic

Update Kyrgyzstan

An update on the situation in Kyrgyzstan, as written by a colleague of Danish Church Aid.

Join the global beat for Sudan!

IKV Pax Christi, Euro's voor Vrede, Radio Darfur and ICCO & Kerk in Actie invite you to be part of a worldwide campaign for peace in Sudan. How? Bring your drum, a pot and a wooden spoon, or just your own hands and start beating during the Drum4Sudan flash mob!

ICCO joins ACT Alliance

Working together to fight injustice and poverty, provide emergency assistance and to influence policy: that is the mission of ACT Alliance, which ICCO has joined as of January 1, 2010.

Ashton must visit Gaza

The EU's foreign ministers and its High Representative for foreign affairs must insist on their right to visit the Gaza Strip, say 17 European human rights and development organisations.

Chile earthquake: ACT works with the government

Newsstory - ACT Alliance - 1 March, 2010: The 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile - one of the most powerful recorded - has killed more than 700 people, but the figure is expected to increase. Troops are being deployed to help with rescue efforts and prevent looting. A curfew is enforced in some areas. Basic supplies are to be distributed as rescuers reach worst-hit areas.

Heavy Rains Underscore Shelter Needs in Haiti

NEWS STORY | February 19, 2010 - ACT alliance PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI - By Emily Sollie And then came the rain... Wednesday night, Haiti's capital experienced its heaviest rainfall since the earthquake, a soaking downpour that lasted for several hours. The storm, the second this week, foreshadowed things to come when the rainy season sets in next month.

Koenders: "ICCO walks a beautiful but difficult road."

Unpleasant conclusions, a lack of understanding, harsh statements. The Dutch Minister of Development Cooperation, Mr Koenders, believes the discussion about development cooperation has gone too far. "The hard-liners would have you believe that DC is no longer a positive thing - not even a neutral thing, but a negative one." It doesn't have to be this way, as proven by the ICCO Alliance and its thorough innovation process. The Minister paid ICCO and Kerk in Actie quite a few compliments in this regard during his visit.

After one month in Haiti: ACT help 150,000 people

Since the earthquake hit parts of Haiti January 12, the ACT Alliance has assisted more than 150,000 people. The majority of people are assisted with ongoing support such as water, sanitation, shelter or regular food supplies/meals. Others have received relief items such as cash, family kits or hygiene sets. Others have benefitted from medical assistance and supplies to health clinics.

Diary from Regional Manager for Central America Mariecke van der Glas about Haiti earthquake

As Regional Manager for Central America, ICCO and Kerk in Actie associate Mariecke van der Glas has been closely affected by the earthquake on Haiti. She kept a diary during the first three weeks after the earthquake. A selection from her diary can be found on our website.

Caring for Haiti's Kids

Traumatized, ill and suffering loss of limbs, hundreds of children need round-the-clock care.

Haiti: Slowly, a return to daily life

Slowly food and water have started moving in Haiti.

Haiti: Clean Water from Filthy

The ACT Alliance has brought in specialist water and sanitation facilities, desperately needed in earthquake-hit Haiti.

Haiti: ACT Distributions Continue in Remote Areas

Medical teams, experts and tonnes of food, household items and tarpaulins from ACT Alliance members and partners continue to reach Haitians made homeless.

ACT photographer Paul Jeffrey in Haiti: “They are used to struggle, so life goes on”

In the wake of Haiti's devastating earthquake, Port-au-Prince is filled with rubble and corpses. Yet amid the destruction and despair, the hope and strength of the Haitian people is undeniable.

Religion and development cooperation: a devil of a job? - Speech Jack van Ham

Also on behalf of my colleague and good friend Haaije Feenstra from our Service Organisation, I would like to welcome you and wish you all the best for the new year.

ACT Alliance Support Reaching Haiti

In the chaos of aid distribution, ACT Alliance members are managing to get food, temporary shelter, water cleaning materials and expertise to the Haitian capital.

'As much assistance to Haiti as possible' - ACT coordinator

The incoming ACT Alliance coordinator for Haiti has outlined priorities for the huge relief operation she is about to lead. Elsa Moreno is scheduled to arrive in Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, tomorrow. She is to hold the post of Rapid Support Team coordinator of the newly-formed programme which offers ACT members support in overwhelming emergencies.

ACT in Haiti: Healing the Traumatised

Thousands of people in Port-au-Prince - injured, hungry and desperate - have spent days outdoor in the demolished capital of Haiti without food or shelter. Desperate Haitians have blocked streets with corpses in anger. Food is stocking up at the airport, but has not yet been distributed. A great deal of the population is traumatized, and ACT Alliance is now sending in experts on psycho-social support.

Haiti: Port-au-Prince "looks like a war zone"

Evelyne Margrone, a programme office of ACT member ICCO has been recovered alive from the debris and was taken to Dominican Republic suffering multiple bone fractures and possible internal injuries. Her grandson was found unhurt.

Haiti earthquake update

A severe earthquake struck Haiti yesterday and destroyed the office of Christian Aid and ICCO. At the time the program officer was in the building together with her grandson. Latest news is she has been pulled out of the rubble together with two other persons. She needs medical care, but she is not in danger. Her grandson is fine as well.

World needs to act now to prevent new Sudan war, ten aid agencies warn

Major conflict could return to southern Sudan unless there is urgent international action to save the peace agreement that ended one of Africa's longest and deadliest wars, ten aid agencies warned today.

'Do Not Be Used By Misguided Politicians'

'Do Not Be Used By Misguided Politicians' Updated: August 18, 2009 - 9:16am News Section: FLY President, Joseph J. Sankaituah addresses participants at the peace building program in Clara Town over the weekend.   ~ FLY Tells Youth  ...

Liberia: Make torture a crime

An executive of the New Deal Movement, Professor Alaric K. Tokpa has suggested and is currently appealing to the National Legislature, Liberia's lawmaking body, to make torture a crime in Liberia.  ...