January
COVID-19 continued to have a huge impact worldwide throughout 2021, yet Sightsavers and partners were able to support governments to deliver millions of treatments to combat neglected tropical diseases. Sightsavers director of NTDs Simon Bush said: “It is vital that our work continues in these challenging times. We need to make sure we support the most marginalised communities even when times are difficult.” Our NTD work during COVID-19
March
Sightsavers hosted an inclusive data event to share insights on how to collect data that includes everyone, regardless of age, sex, disability and other characteristics. The main themes were effective data disaggregation, ensuring that data is owned locally, and integrating data collection into existing roles and services. More about the event
April
The Gambia became the second country in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate trachoma, ensuring millions of people will no longer have their sight threatened by the disease. Sightsavers has supported the government of The Gambia since 1986, when a survey found trachoma was the third leading cause of blindness in the country. How we helped to eliminate trachoma in The Gambia
May
Sightsavers called for girls with disabilities to be prioritised in education as part of the G7 Girls’ Education Declaration, which aims to get 40 million more girls into education in low and lower middle income countries by 2026. We called on world leaders to ensure that commitments are met to achieve these bold targets. Read the G7 story
June
Actress and Sightsavers ambassador Sunetra Sarker (pictured) raised awareness about our work during an appeal that aired on BBC Radio 4. Sunetra spoke about the eye disease trachoma, which affects thousands of people like Zuwaira, whose story we shared during the appeal. About the appeal
June
At the 14th UN disability conference, Sightsavers delivered a video statement calling for disability rights to be upheld in the global pandemic response. In the statement, Sightsavers head of policy Hannah Loryman said: “Exclusion is still built into the systems that affect everyone’s ability to live a fulfilled and independent life, and this is made is even more severe in times of crisis.” Read our statement
July
Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame, Sightsavers’ advocacy adviser for social inclusion, received the World Blind Union Women’s Empowerment Award for her disability work. Presented at the World Blindness Summit, the award is given to blind or partially sighted women who have made an outstanding contribution to empower women. Read about Getty’s award
July
The world’s largest surveys into infectious disease reached an important milestone, with Sierra Leone becoming the 50th country to be surveyed for trachoma. The initiative, known as Tropical Data, has examined one person for trachoma every 26 seconds since it began in 2012. Read the news story
August
Sightsavers’ Rasak Adekoya was named as a One Young World ambassador for his work tackling the inequalities faced by people with disabilities. Rasak is the programme officer for Inclusion Works in Nigeria, which addresses the barriers that prevent millions of people with disabilities from finding mainstream jobs. Read about Rasak’s award
August
Sightsavers’ largest neglected tropical disease programme, Ascend, closed early due to government funding cuts. During its two years, the programme made great progress in the fight to eliminate diseases such as trachoma and river blindness in West and Central Africa. More on Ascend
September
After years of advocacy work through Sightsavers’ Equal World campaign, Mali passed a new law that protects the rights of people with disabilities, so they can claim their rights and access employment, education and social benefits equally. About Mali’s disability rights law
September
Sightsavers researcher Kareen Atekem (pictured) was recognised for her work on a new project to control and eliminate two neglected tropical diseases. Her project involves developing a new trap for flies that spread a parasitic disease which poses a major barrier to eliminating river blindness. More on Kareen’s award
October
Sightsavers staff, partners and supporters around the world celebrated World Sight Day on 14 October, to help raise awareness of the importance of access to good eye care. Country offices ran free eye screening services and organised awareness events, while our supporters and partners shared key messages on social media. Read our highlights
November
For the sixth year in a row, charity evaluator GiveWell named Sightsavers as one of its top charities for our deworming programmes. These programmes treat children for schistosomiasis and intestinal worms: parasitic infections that can cause severe illness. Sightsavers and GiveWell
November
On 30 November, our generous supporters raised more than $90,000 during our Giving Tuesday appeal. Donations made on Giving Tuesday are matched and doubled so that individual gifts go twice as far, helping to protect and restore the sight of many more people. About the appeal
November
November also marked the end of the seven-year COUNTDOWN research programme, which focused on several neglected tropical diseases. It encouraged people to speak out about their illnesses and how they would like to be treated, enabling researchers to investigate cost-effective ways to control the diseases. Read the COUNTDOWN story
December
Sightsavers ended the year on a high by winning a prestigious Zero Project award for our accessibility audit pack. It includes guidance on how to carry out an audit of healthcare facilities, as well as recommendations on accessibility standards and examples of best practice. About the award
What else has Sightsavers achieved in the past year?
Read our news and blogs
Sightsavers trustee Sir Chris Whitty knighted in New Year Honours
Sir Chris, who has been on the Sightsavers board since 2017, has been recognised for his role in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vote for Sightsavers in the 2021 Charity Film Awards
Two Sightsavers films that were created during the COVID-19 pandemic have been submitted for the awards, which celebrate and reward the best fundraising films.
Sightsavers wins Zero Project award for accessibility audit pack
Sightsavers won the innovation award for its accessibility standards and audit toolkit, which helps improve healthcare facilities for people with disabilities.
