25 Pictures to Celebrate 25 Years of FOCUS Europe

Whether it be responding to natural disasters in the world’s most isolated mountain regions, providing emergency support to those affected by civil war, supporting migrants to build a more secure future for themselves and their families, improving infrastructure to provide clean water and sanitation, or training communities to become better prepared for the risks brought about by climate change, FOCUS has been at the forefront of disaster response and mitigation planning for the last 25 years.

We would like to share with you 25 photos which highlight and celebrate our work over the last 25 years – we hope that this provides a glimpse into the life changing impact that your support brings to so many.

FOCUS was founded in 1994 by the Ismaili Community under the guidance of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan and in 1996, FOCUS Europe was established. FOCUS has reached many milestones in the past 25 years, a significant one being in 2016 when FOCUS established a partnership with the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), who have continued to build on projects in the areas of disaster preparedness, environmental stewardship, housing, water and sanitation in countries such as Afghanistan, Tajikistan, India, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Over the last year, the global pandemic has added increased uncertainty, risk and suffering to many communities across the world. FOCUS has been a lifeline for many of these families, providing emergency food, medicine and PPE to those in need as well training communities on hygiene practices to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Today we would like to say THANK YOU to all the support you have given FOCUS over the last 25 years. Without your generosity, none of this incredible work would be possible. Your donations remain critical to ensuring that these projects are able to continue, so that the most vulnerable members of our community are given the assistance, knowledge and support to improve the quality of their lives and secure a brighter future for the generations ahead.

Please click here if you would like to make a donation to our projects.

Gujarat Earthquake India, January 2001: Clean drinking water supply provision

Mozambique Floods, 2001: Following the severe flooding in Mozambique, FOCUS delivered emergency humanitarian aid to over 30,000 refugees including providing medical aid, food packages, and essential commodities.

2001, Eshkasheem, Afghanistan: Education Rehabilitation

2001, Eshkasheem, Afghanistan: Education Rehabilitation

Kabul 2002 – Rehabilitation Safe Drinking Water. 75 wells in Kabul and 60 wells in Mazar

Immunisation Programme in Baghlan

FOCUS Health and Supplementary feeding Programme in Badakshan, Afghanistan

Cyclone Gafilo, Madagascar 2004: In coordination with UNICEF and Catholic Relief Services, FOCUS transported and distributed 880MT of food and non-food items to the affected community.

South Asia Earthquake, 2005: As part of the relief effort, FOCUS provided basic first aid and transported over 1,000 casualties to health facilities for further attention.

Andhra Pradesh Tsunami, India, December 2004: FOCUS worked in partnership with AKDN and Local NGOs to provide local assistance

2008 – FOCUS led Training on Avalanche Search & Rescue

India, 2008: FOCUS Bike4Life

Afghanistan Food Crisis, 2009: In 2009, with partnerships with the World Food Programme and the Afghan Government, FOCUS distributed over US $2M in food aid to over 15, 000 vulnerable families in various regions of Afghanistan.

Attabad Landslide Disaster, 2010: Over 30,000 people were affected by devastating landslides that hit the Hunza Valley. FOCUS provided relief supplies including tents, blankets, warm clothing firewood, and basic food items.

Integration & Support – Youth bowling Event in Berlin, Germany (Summer 2017). FOCUS staff have worked closely with volunteers to deliver workshops on mental wellbeing with dedicated interventions required to support their mental wellbeing and overall quality of life.

Mastering the National language and Vocational Training - FOCUS Staff delivering a session in Essen, Germany on mastering the national language and employment opportunities for refugees. (October, 2018)

Summer picnic for newcomers & Children’s Activities in Ghent supported by FOCUS in the summer of 2018 to encourage migrants to come together, socialise and create a sense of community.

Summer picnic for newcomers & Children’s Activities in Ghent supported by FOCUS in the summer of 2018 to encourage migrants to come together, socialise and create a sense of community.

Berlin, Germany Spring 2018: Group photo of participants at the Mental Wellbeing Seminar with AKHB (Spring, 2018)

Pakistan 2018 – Glacial Lake outburst flood in Immit Valley in Gilgit-Balistan. Over 40 house and road access to 10 villages were blocked. FOCUS evacuated 1,000 people to safer areas prior to the disaster. FOCUS provided food and non-food items to the affected villages.

Pakistan - FOCUS built flood protective walls saves the lives of 120 students during the 2018 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in the Immit Valley

Karachi, Pakistan July 2020: PPE Distribution

Pakistan, 2020 – Ensuring access to food for Vulnerable Communities and Covid-19 Patients: FOCUS provided emergency funding to AKAH to collect two weeks worth of food for 4,000 households in hard-to-reach areas in Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan

Summer 2020, Gorno-Badakshan: CERT Volunteers making and distributing fabric face masks in the Shukand and Emc villages.

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