Frequently asked questions

Concern focuses on six core programmes: livelihoods, health and nutrition, education, emergencies, gender equality and innovations.

Concern’s policy is to work in the world’s poorest countries. We use our own Poor-Vulnerable Index to determine the countries and areas within countries that are most at risk and where we feel we can make the biggest difference. As a humanitarian organisation we also respond rapidly to people affected by disasters -  the scale of an emergency and the number of people in need of assistance is what determines Concern’s response, not the geographical location. To see a list of the countries we work in, click here.

Concern is established, trusted, well known, community-based and well-managed. Concern has won many awards for financial accounts from the Leinster Institute of Chartered Accountants. Concern also has a reputation of being emergency specialists – we respond very quickly when emergencies occur. Concern is Ireland's largest overseas development agency.

Wherever possible, we try to work through local partner organisations in order to make projects self-sustainable as well as maximising the use of local and cultural knowledge. Concern has been praised for its consultative approach to development projects in Africa, working closely with the people it is helping in order to create long-lasting solutions to poverty.

This is when Concern responds to crises such as natural disasters (floods, earthquakes, droughts, cyclones) and manmade disasters (often civil war). The most visible part of our is through emergency response.

Approximately half of Concern's resources are devoted to emergency work. In an emergency situation, Concern operates as part of the Disasters and Emergency Committee.

The difference between development work and emergency work is the difference between giving someone a job and giving them welfare. Relief is necessary in emergencies, but in the long term people want to earn an income.

Concern spends about half of its money on work that helps people to earn more, so that they can obtain the resources to assert their human right to food, shelter, health and education services.

The objective of Concern's long-term work is to help local organisations to grow. This will help people acquire the confidence and skills needed to lift themselves out of poverty.

You can find out about Concern's administration costs on our annual reports page.

No, Concern Worldwide (UK) is not a political organisation and is not associated with any political parties. On occasion, we raise the issues faced by those living in extreme poverty and hunger with UK decision makers.

No. Concern is a non-denominational organisation.

Concern's mission is to help people who are living in extreme poverty achieve major improvements in their lives, improvements that last and spread without ongoing support from us.

To achieve this mission, Concern engages in long term development work, responds to emergency situations, and seeks to address the root cause of poverty through our work with advocacy and development education.

Concern's vision is a world where no one lives in poverty, fear or oppression. Where all have access to a decent standard of living and the opportunities essential to a long, healthy and creative life. A world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

The famine in Biafra in 1968 was the catalyst that gave rise to Concern.

Concern Worldwide is a non-governmental, international charity dedicated to reducing suffering and eliminating extreme poverty in the world's poorest countries.