Seven global developments that gave us hope in 2024

2024 has given us many reasons for hope - from fewer casualties in climate disasters, to steps forward in tackling modern slavery. Photo: Tearfund 

2024 brought its share of challenges, but it also gave us reasons to hope. Across the globe, efforts to combat injustice, protect people and empower communities are bearing fruit.

Fewer lives are being lost in climate disasters  

Advancements in hospital preparedness and early warning systems have made a significant difference in reducing the number of deaths in climate-related disasters. According to the United Nations, the number of deaths per disaster—such as storms, floods, and cyclones—has dropped significantly over the past few decades, even as these events grow more intense. For instance, residents of countries like the Philippines are now about three times more likely to survive a tropical cyclone compared to 20 years ago. Two decades ago, tsunami warning systems were rare. Today, they are widely implemented—a development that holds particular significance as we approach the 20th anniversary of the Boxing Day Tsunami, which tragically claimed over 200,000 lives. 

Hope for New Zealand’s anti-human trafficking laws 

New Zealand’s anti-human trafficking laws aren’t pulling their weight to effectively address and prevent children and adults' exploitation. But by a rare stroke of parliamentary fortune—powered by earlier advocacy efforts—MP Greg Flemming’s Bill to strengthen penalties for traffickers was drawn from the biscuit tin earlier this year. This Bill aims to help make sure traffickers face the full consequences of their actions. It also gives Tearfund and other advocates an opportunity to campaign for other important changes to be made to strengthen New Zealand’s anti-human trafficking laws. This rare opportunity for change is one we’ll need your help to seize in the new year!   

Legislative progress around the world in 2024 gives us hope in the fight against modern slavery. Photo: Noori Han 

Fiji is teaching children to recognise abuse (and learn to protect themselves) with nationwide education 

This year, Tearfund’s partner in Fiji, Homes of Hope, has expanded and strengthened its child protection programme nationwide with support from the Fijian Government. Through the Thumbs Up curriculum, children across the country are learning to recognise appropriate and inappropriate touch, and how to seek help if needed. This programme, along with other Homes of Hope prevention efforts, has already led to increased awareness and subsequently reported cases of abuse. Reporting these cases is often a critical step in seeking justice and ensuring support for survivors.  

Global progress on tackling modern slavery in supply chains  

Slavery and exploitation take place in the supply chains of many everyday products around the world. While legislation aimed at addressing slavery in business supply chains has stalled in New Zealand this year, significant strides are being made globally.  

In Canada, a new law requiring transparency from companies and government entities on their efforts to combat slavery in their supply chains came into force this year. Similarly, the European Union advanced a groundbreaking directive that would require large companies to identify human rights risks, while actively preventing and confronting them. In Australia, the appointment of the country’s first-ever national Anti-Slavery Commissioner marks a major advancement. This new role will oversee compliance and ensure businesses meet their obligations under the Australian Modern Slavery Act.  

These legal developments represent vital progress towards tackling modern slavery, offering hope that businesses will be supported and held accountable, and workers better protected worldwide.  

Dairy farming is providing a sustainable pathway out of poverty for many families in Sri Lanka. Photo: Tearfund 

Dairy farming in Sri Lanka nears self-sufficiency  

What started with training a single family in Sri Lanka to be dairy farmers has grown into a thriving social enterprise involving over 2,000 households. Last year, small hold farmers collectively earned over NZ$500,000, providing sustainable livelihoods for them and their families. This success means that our local partner, Yugashakthi, is nearing complete financial independence from Tearfund as they continue their work– an inspiring example of community-led development!   

G20’s pledge to fight human trafficking 

For the first time, the G20, a group of twenty countries representing two-thirds of the world’s population, formally committed to fighting human trafficking. This historic pledge has the potential to influence human rights standards across global trade and hold to account several countries where modern slavery is amongst the most prevalent. This commitment also came as a result of the advocacy of faith-based NGOs – demonstrating the power of collaboration and collective voice.  

Whilst there’s still so much work to be done, these stories of hope remind us that positive transformation is happening around our world. Photo: Tearfund

Extreme poverty levels drop to pre-pandemic rates!   

The Covid-19 pandemic, as well as escalating conflicts and growing inflation pressures, forced an estimated 75 million more people into extreme poverty. This means, for the first time in over twenty years, more people entered extreme poverty around the world, then escaped it.  However, extreme poverty is now once again decreasing and this year it's estimated that the number of people living in extreme poverty has returned to pre-pandemic levels.  

Looking ahead 

These stories remind us that progress is possible, even in challenging times. Join us in carrying this hope into 2025.