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Our History
We’re over 35 years old!
Our History
discover our history
Established in 1976, Concern Universal has passed the milestone of its 35th anniversary.
More than 550 staff members are now working ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with over 50 in-country partners. We have country programmes in nine countries and are well respected at an international level. So far, we have helped over 40 million of the world’s poorest people.
The beginning
Dublin: John & Kay O’Loughlin Kennedy launched the Biafra appeal to ‘Send One Ship’ of aid supplies. Motivated by his brother Raymond’s return from war-torn Biafra in Nigeria, Raymond brought stories of starvation, deprivation and disease. It took just seven weeks to hit the £100,000 target. The appeal went on to raise £3.5 million (over £50 million by today’s standards).
Concern Universal is registered as a charity in the UK
Rachel Shirley had returned to the UK from volunteering in Bangladesh. Despite threats to her life, Rachel had established a medical centre in a camp where the Bihari minority had gathered for protection. With help from a number of supporters, including Joan McGee, Don McLeish and Raymond Kennedy, Rachel registered Concern Universal as a charity.
Our first country programme is established – Malawi.
Concern Universal dedicates resources to establish its first in-country office in Malawi. Following on from work supporting Malawian communities in response to the influx of refugees from neighbouring Mozambique, the programme aims to provide more long-term and sustainable change for both refugees and host communities.
Bangladesh and the Burma refugees
Work commences in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, to ensure local people can access health care in areas straining under an influx of refugees from neighbouring Burma. This soon expands to other districts, as a permanent Bangladesh office is established.
War in Sierra Leone
Initially as part of Concern Universal’s Sierra Leone country programme, war in Sierra Leone led to relocation over the border to Guinea to support refuges and the host communities. In Mozambique, a Concern Universal office is established to help returning refugees, following the end of conflict.
Our first office in The Gambia
Concern Universal establishes its first office in The Gambia in the Greater Banjul area. In 2001, as work spreads over the border, the programme includes Senegal.
Welcome to Hereford
Concern Universal UK office relocates from Chatham to Hereford, where it enjoys a modest office near the Cathedral. At the same time, permanent country programmes are established in Brazil & Ghana.
Nairobi and Nigeria
The first field office opens in Nairobi, Kenya. This is closely followed by an office in Nigeria (2001)
Revolutionising Malawian’s finances
Concern Universal Micro-finance Organisation (CUMO) is established. The not-for-profit rural microfinance company, providing financial services and entrepreneurship mentoring now supports over 50,000 clients in Malawi.
Where we are today
Concern Universal has helped over 40 million people and employs 572 staff worldwide, across nine country programmes.
1968
The beginning
The origins of Concern Universal (CU), Concern Worldwide and Concern America stem from a group of volunteers in Dublin, Ireland, responding to a humanitarian crisis in Nigeria. A public appeal is launched in response.
1976
Concern Universal is registered as a charity in the UK
Some of the founder members, have remained actively involved including Hon President, Don McLeish, Rachael Shirley and Joan McGee. Until the late 1980s, operated largely through volunteers and gained experience via enabling small scale development initiatives.
1988
Malawi
Becoming established in Malawian communities in response to the influx of refugees from neighbouring Mozambique. The first country programme is established.
1992
Columbia
Work on human rights in Colombia builds momentum.
1993
The plan
A clear goal to establish substantial country programmes in ten countries, narrowing its focus having previously worked in over 30 countries. Commitment to being driven from the bottom up in developing its strategy.
1994
Bangladesh
Work commences in Cox’s Bazar District to ensure local people can access health care in areas straining under an influx of refugees from neighbouring Burma. Supporting partner Dhaka Ahsania Mission and others, work soon expands to other districts.
1995
Sierra Leone and Guinea
Insecurity led to evacuations in Sierra Leone which ended operations there in 1998 . As a result of the conflict and a refugee crisis, a Guinea country programme was established in 1996.
1998
Senegal and The Gambia
Our office opens in The Gambia focused on enterprise development through livestock and egg production. In 2001, The Gambia programme combines with Senegal.
1999
United Kingdom
Office moves from Chatham to Hereford to develop a stronger UK constituency.
Brazil
A programme focused on Child Rights in the North East of the Country is established. This follows the development of two large crèches for children in communities in Sao Paulo.
Ghana
A permanent country programme is established in Ghana.
2000
Kenya
The first field office opens in Nairobi to support operations in community development and poverty alleviation.
2001
Nigeria
Our programme commences prioritising water and sanitation, girl and women’s empowerment primary healthcare, agricultural improvement and livelihoods enhancement.
2003
CUMO is established
Concern Universal Micro-finance Organisation is the first finance initiative to help growers lift themselves out of poverty in Malawi.
2005
Expanding rapidly
Concern Universal reviews it’s strategy and focus to expand and affirm whilst retaining core principles. By 2007 it strengthens with 3000 regular supporters and employs 15 fundraising staff.
2011
Growing to £12 million per year
Concern Universal has 539 employees working in 10 countries, in Africa, Asia and Latin America, with 53 committed local partners channelling approx. £12 million per year to community led development.
2014
New CEO
Kathryn Llewellyn takes over as the new CEO of Concern Universal after Ian Williams moves on to new adventures having spent over 16 years growing the organisation from 3 employees to over 550.
