War in Biafra
In response to the hunger crisis during the civil war in Biafra (present-day Nigeria), Africa Concern is founded. Raising $6.5 million in 6 months, Concern buys a 600-ton ship, the Columcille, and sails to Biafra with food, medicines, and batteries.
Troubled beginning for Bangladesh
As conflict displaces millions in the newly founded nation of Bangladesh, the renamed Concern launches a response. Aengus Finucane, who helped coordinate the Biafra response, becomes country director in 1973.
Famine in Ethiopia
As a historic famine strikes Ethiopia, images of emaciated children again shock the world, and again Concern responds. Jack Finucane, brother of Aengus and coordinator the Biafra response, is named country director.
Cambodians seek refuge
As Cambodians flee the Khmer Rouge genocide and then a Vietnamese invasion, Concern starts an operation on the Thai border to meet the needs of a swelling number of refugees. Hundreds of thousands would remain there for over 13 years.
Famine returns to Ethiopa
Famine is once again declared in Ethiopia. Media coverage galvanizes worldwide support of aid efforts, including the advocacy of Irish entertainers Bob Geldof and Bono, who visit Concern’s operations and help organize Live Aid, a global concert event broadcast around the world to raise funds for the victims.
Civil war in Mozambique
Concern Mozambique opens in the midst of one of the deadliest and most intractable civil wars in Africa.
Terror in Liberia
Concern’s Liberia program opens to meet the needs of returning refugees as the country stabilizes after several years of conflict, only to be wracked again by war in the succeeding decade.
Tragedy in Somalia
Amid a horrendous hunger crisis in Somalia, Valerie Place, a 23-year-old Concern nurse from Ireland, is shot to death on the road from Mogadishu to Baidoa.
Genocide in Rwanda
Concern launches a massive regional response that will encompass Rwanda, Burundi, and DRC as millions are displaced by the Rwandan genocide and aftermath.
Concern Enters North Korea
Concern begins a long-term commitment to meet the needs of the poor and hard-to-reach in North Korea who are beset by crop failures and harsh winters that lead to cyclical hunger.
War in Kosovo
Concern enters Kosovo to provide emergency relief to people affected by the violence and later assists with reconstruction efforts after the war.
Indian Ocean Tsunami
Concern responds to the massive Indian Ocean tsunami by launching operations in Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
Earthquake in Haiti
Concern launches its largest ever emergency response in Haiti after a magnitude 7 earthquake takes more than 200,000 lives and displaces 1.5 million.
East Africa Drought
East Africa experiences the worst drought in 60 years, resulting in crop failures and food shortages. Concern responds in some of the worst-affected areas in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
War in Syria
The violent sectarian war in Syria reaches a tipping point, with over 100,000 dead and 7 million displaced. Concern launches operations in northern Syria and Lebanon, focusing on providing clean water and shelter.
Typhoon Haiyan hits the Phillipines
After Typhoon Haiyan affects over 14 million people and displaces more than five million in the Philippines, Concern launches an emergency response to help fishing communities living on remote, hard-to-reach islands.
Ebola in West Africa
Ebola sweeps through West Africa. In Sierra Leone, Concern manages two cemeteries to ensure the safe and dignified burial of victims.
Conflict in CAR
Concern begins operations in the Central African Republic, one of the world’s poorest countries, where sectarian violence has displaced over a million people and left many in need of emergency assistance.
Earthquake in Nepal
A 7.8-magnitude earthquake strikes near Kathmandu and a series of aftershocks, including a major 7.3-magnitude tremor near Mount Everest, further rocks the country. Concern immediately sends an emergency team to respond to the humanitarian crisis.
Rohingya Refugee crisis
Concern provides life-saving emergency support on the Bangladesh border as more than half a million Rohingya refugees – a large majority of them children – flee Myanmar.
Cyclone Idai hits Southern Africa
On March 11, Southern Africa — including Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe — was hit by what is possibly the deadliest cyclone ever recorded in the area. Concern responded rapidly.
The COVID-19 pandemic
A deadly pandemic sweeps the world, causing mass sickness and death and dealing a hammer blow to communities and economies. Concern's teams battle to protect those they serve
Another earthquake hits Haiti
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake hits the South of Haiti, killing over 2,000 people and leaving hundreds of thousands more homeless. Concern is on the scene quickly with vital support.
Conflict in Ukraine
In the biggest mass movement of people in Europe since WWII, huge numbers of people desperately flee the outbreak of conflict in Ukraine. Concern sets up inside the country to cater for the displaced.
Drought in the Horn of Africa
Five consecutive failed rainy seasons drive pastoralist communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia to the brink of famine. Concern at the forefront of efforts to avert a humanitarian disaster.
