Page 4 - GDG_NZ Annual Report 2021

Annual Report 2021 4 Global Development Group NZ

Executive Director’s Report

2021 was a tumultuous and mixed year for most of the world due to the impact of COVID-19. Despite these
challenges, I am amazed at the strong support of our New Zealand, Australian and USA donors, and the
incredible work of our partners across the globe. While New Zealand has had its economic hardships,
Global Development Group’s donors remained determined to assist projects in their time of hardship.

On the ground, many of the Several of our partners received Geoff in the original Global Development Group
communities GDG projects work with outstanding awards this year, home office.
faced loss of livelihoods, significant including: Debbie Edirisinghe of
health risks, lockdowns, school J696N Child Action Lanka (Awarded 2021 Award recipients
closures and often even hunger. Our Keerthishri Deshamanya, the
partners, both local and overseas, rose second highest honorific title by the Debbie Edirisinghe
to the challenge and worked tirelessly Government of Sri Lanka in recognition
to meet needs in the midst of crisis - of service to the nation and its people); David Begbie
working long hours, making sacrifices David Begbie of J342N Crossroads
and raising financial support. Foundation, Hong Kong (Asia’s Most
Influential Award, The Impact List);
You will read stories within these and Deolindo DaCosta of J540N
pages of our projects and partners Encouragement House, Timor Leste
shifting their focus from regular (Awarded a Humanitarian Award by
project activities to meet urgent the President of Timor Leste);
needs. We often needed to be
innovative and extend efforts to In the past year our records show that
ensure our beneficiary communities GDG’s international network impacted
were supported and protected. We 638,408 direct beneficiaries and
carried out relief projects in many 3,496,997 indirect beneficiaries.
countries, particularly India during its Again, we have much to be thankful
second wave of COVID-19 cases. As for and I wish to acknowledge the
well as the pandemic, many countries great work by our donors, our excellent
faced natural disasters from floods partners and especially the dedicated
in Indonesia to earthquakes in the professional GDG team.
Philippines. In Goma, DR Congo,
Mount Nyiragongo erupted affecting BSc, MBA, AFAMI, CMC, MAICD, MASQ
two great projects. Executive Director

The halt on travel meant that our
monitoring, conferences and network
meetings were all postponed. Despite
this, GDG’s in-country representatives
were active and our in-country project
managers maintained standards.
Back home, our team kept up strong
communication with in-country
partners using zoom meetings and
regular calls.

Deolindo DaCosta