An international development charity based in Manchester has reported a record income, after seeing a more than 40% rise last year and despite facing one of its “most challenging” years.
Action For Humanity’s (AFH) income increased from £30.4m to £42.7m last year, according to the charity’s recently filed accounts for the year ending 31 December 2023.
The charity received grants from more than 28 institutions and partners totalling £31.6m (2022: £22.9m), representing a 38% rise.
Meanwhile, other fundraised income and legacies, including donations to major appeals and gift aid reclaimed, increased by 40% from £7.53m to £10.5m.
‘Another difficult and turbulent year’
The accounts say 2023 marked “another difficult and turbulent year”, with earthquakes in Türkiye-Syria and catastrophes hitting Afghanistan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco and Yemen.
“AFH encountered numerous challenges in 2023, including the loss of team members in the Turkey disaster and the need to strengthen infrastructure to respond to future disasters effectively,” the accounts read.
“However, these challenges have only strengthened our resolve and underscored the importance of our mission.”
AFH spent £38.3m overall, compared with £29.4m in 2022, meaning that it recorded a surplus of £4.46m (2022: £941,000).
This included spending £1.18m on raising funds, compared with £1.14m the year before.
The charity employed 219 full-time equivalent staff, including the senior management team but excluding casual workers, compared with 173 in 2022.
AFH’s overall staff costs rose by more than £1m to £4.55m in 2023, including overseas wages and salaries of £3.10m.
Its highest-paid employee earned between £120,000 and £130,000 in 2023, whereas in 2022 this was between £80,000 and £90,000.
No signs of fatigue from supporters
Othman Moqbel, chief executive of AFH, said the charity’s supporters rose above financial strain “to ensure we can continue providing life-saving aid to millions”.
“This unprecedented global solidarity is a testament to the power of compassion, even in the face of hardship,” he said.
“Despite economic pressures, our efforts in 2023 were felt worldwide.
“The organisation responded to multiple crises, including the Türkiye-Syria earthquakes, the floods in Libya, and the Morocco earthquake.
“Beyond crisis response, AFH has invested and grown in sustainable development projects in regions like Syria, Bangladesh, Yemen, and Pakistan.
“Together, we’ve supported millions through capacity building, and resilience development.”
Moqbel added that this year had been marked by “further bloodshed and carnage in Gaza” but “our supporters are showing no signs of fatigue”.
“They’re desperate to do anything they can to stop the spiralling death toll,” he said.
“And when people feel so helpless to stop the horrors we see on our screens, donating to organisations who are on the ground, helping people in Gaza, is one of the best things anyone can do.”
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