The Annual Report offers a comprehensive overview of the Unit’s work in 2011, noting a number of highlights including:
- Working with the Uniting Church in PNG to provide 6 additional villages, or 3,500 people, with a sustainable supply of safe and clean water
- Providing 400 village children in North India with educational and health support in partnership with the Church of North India
- The opening of a new micro-finance branch in Sumba, West Timor, which provided 710 people with small loans and an additional 146 people with savings accounts
- Extending health services to isolated areas with a population of approximately 25,000 people in Solomon Islands
- Garnering impressive support from Australian communities for drought relief in the Horn of Africa
UnitingWorld would like to thank individuals and Uniting Church communities throughout Australia for the generous support that has made these transformations possible.
The 2011 Annual Report highlights the value of working through partnerships that ensure relief and development work is effective on the ground. 
“Effectiveness is about taking care that our work is sustainable and culturally appropriate. It is about making sure people are empowered for the long run to break the poverty cycle and to effect change in their communities”, UnitingWorld’s National Director, Rev. Dr Kerry Enright, said.
“We work through mutually respected partnerships with a range of overseas churches and affiliated agencies to support people as they overcome systems that marginalise and perpetuate poverty. And we work through partners who are already active on the ground. This means committing ourselves to communities facing extraordinary challenges including limited access to health care and education, a lack of clean water and sanitation facilities and a lack of trust and community cohesion following conflict.”
Partnership continues to stand at the heart of our approach to relief and development”, said Malcolm Gledhill, Chairperson of the Relief and Development Unit National Committee. “Our partners and their extensive networks are embedded in local communities in the Pacific, Asia and Africa. We contribute to programs that enhance the capacity of those communities to combat poverty and disadvantage in ways that are culturally relevant, sustainable and effective.”
Both Mr Gledhill and Rev Dr Enright highlighted the valuable support from Australian individuals and Uniting Church communities.
“Our Australian partners, without whose support we would not be able to function, are vital to our work”, said Rev Dr Enright.
“We are committed to drawing communities across the Uniting Church into our overseas work, and also to supporting people in Australia as they engage with issues of global poverty and effective development. Our involvement with Make Poverty History and Micah Challenge is a signpost of our commitment to an informed Australian community, one that is both generous and conversant with global issues.”
The Annual Report includes condensed financial information extracted from statutory financial statements. This information highlights:
- An excellent response from our donors resulting in a 5% increase in overall donations
- Significant ongoing funding from AusAID
- An increase in the accountability and administrative costs of the Unit associated with investment in new staff, projects for future growth and one off expenditure associated with preparing for AusAID re-accreditation in 2012
Click here to download the Relief and Development Unit Annual Report for 2011.
Alternatively, please call + 61 2 8267 4267 to obtain a printed version.
