Ten Ways
We Delivered Hope
in 2023
1.
We powered life-saving rescues in SyriaWhen two shattering earthquakes left thousands trapped under the rubble, our movement responded in hours.
We raised over $4 million to fund emergency care, rescue operations, and life-saving aid in some of the worst hit parts of Syria. Our support directly helped save the lives of 3,000 people in just the first few days.
2.
We're supercharging an Amazon uprisingAs oil drilling invades the rainforest, we're supporting Indigenous communities to fight back. They've protected the Amazon for
millennia --
now we're helping leaders to plan, march, and influence global treaties on rainforest protections. Over 9 million Avaazers signed the
People's Declaration for the Amazon, and we took over the New York skyline to land the message:
At the Amazon Summit in Brazil, dozens of us prepared meals and translated for Indigenous leaders, ensuring they could speak for the rainforest. In Peru, our movement united to
help block a deadly "genocide bill" that threatened Indigenous communities and the forest they protect. And this month our community
enabled dozens of Indigenous leaders to be at the COP28 climate talks, working with Avaaz campaigners to hold our leaders' feet to the fire!
"Thanks to all of you, who helped us get here, bringing the voice of the youth, of the Indigenous peoples of Amazonia, to this crucial place, ensuring that the COP can no longer take place without our voices at its core."
- Txai Suruí
Indigenous warrior of the Paiter Suruí people
3.
We're going all-out for peace in GazaWithin hours of the October 7 attacks, Avaaz was in contact with mediators, sharing the blueprint of a deal to stop the violence and secure the release of Palestinian detainees and Israeli hostages. When it happened, it was
mediation -- not missiles -- that created a temporary ceasefire and freed dozens of people in captivity.
We also partnered with Amnesty USA to stage a powerful stunt in front of the White House calling for an immediate ceasefire. And,
thanks to almost 60,000 donors,
we've already sent over half a million euros in life-saving aid to Palestine. For many of us, this campaign is truly personal, and
we won't stop until there's a permanent ceasefire, equal rights for the Palestinian people, and peace for all.
4.
We funded safe houses for the LGBTQ+ communityIn May, activists in Uganda sounded the alarm about a vicious new 'anti-gay' law.
The response from this community was extraordinary.
As LGBTQ+ people were being hunted down, our movement stepped in to fund safe houses, medical care, and legal support. We're also a major funder in the ongoing constitutional court challenge to overturn the horrifying law.
"Avaaz's support has been pivotal amidst the persistent legal challenges posed by the anti-homosexuality act of 2023. Now we're able to respond swiftly, providing crucial legal aid, safe housing, and emergency rapid response to community members facing violence. Your unwavering commitment shows that there are individuals who believe in us, and are willing to support our community. Hope is our currency, and the generosity of friends like you keeps us resolute on our path."
- Dr. Frank Mugisha
Human Rights Defender, Uganda
5.
We're supporting brave young people putting the worst polluters on trialFaced with the biggest threat to life on Earth, our leaders are failing.
Now young people in Europe and the US are taking their governments to court, and our movement is helping them to win. We're funding legal costs, evidence collection, and research to prove key arguments. Working alongside partner groups, we're also helping to ensure both cases grab global headlines,
showing judges the whole world is watching!
6.
We're going after PutinWhen we heard about thousands of children being stolen from Ukraine,
we ramped up our campaigning for Putin to be charged with war crimes. The ICC put out a warrant for his arrest -- so when Putin planned on attending an international meeting in South Africa, Avaaz members funded giant billboards
calling for him to be arrested.
Putin didn't dare show up in person, and is now even more isolated from the global community. Let's keep up the pressure, it works.
7.
We're blowing the whistle on atrocities in SudanShocked by reports of extreme violence, Avaaz members united to get the world's attention. Over 60,000 of us donated to fund journalists, investigators, and fact-checkers.
We're helping to increase global media coverage and ensuring human rights abuses are documented, forcing governments to act. This vital work is ongoing.
8.
We fought the far-right in SpainWhen a snap election was called, Avaaz members went all-out to stop the politics of hate from entering government.
We put up a giant billboard, and when the far-right Vox party took us to court, our edited message got swept through social media. Our huge media campaign successfully helped to block the far-right in the elections. Almost half the world will go to the polls next year -- a major opportunity for us to fight for people and the planet!
9.
We helped criminalise the mass destruction of natureOver half a million of us called on the EU to make ecocide a crime, and thousands emailed the key decision-makers. It worked: after months of sustained action from Avaazers and partner organisations, we won! Now we're pushing to get this law adopted around the world!
10.
We won an historic battle to make AI saferAs the creators of AI warned of an "existential risk" to humanity,
a quarter million of us pushed the EU to ensure human rights were protected in its new AI law.
After 3 years of campaigning by Avaaz and partner organisations, the EU has started working on safety regulations that will have ripple effects across the world! A lead EU negotiator told us that our work was instrumental in getting decision-makers to support the new protections.
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