CBM (charity)

CBM (previously Christian Blind Mission) is an international Christian development organisation, committed to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in the poorest communities of the world. It is considered one of the world's oldest and largest organisations working in this field. CBM was founded in 1908 by the German pastor Ernst Jakob Christoffel,[1] who built homes for blind children, orphans, physically disabled, and deaf persons in Turkey and Iran. Initially CBM's efforts were focused on preventing and curing blindness but now cover other causes of disability.

CBM targets the people affected by disability by supporting local partner organisations to run programmes in the fields of healthcare, rehabilitation (community-based rehabilitation - CBR), education and livelihood opportunities. CBM also advocates for disability inclusion following UN guidelines in international policy-making bodies, and campaigns and raises funds through its member associations. CBM has an emergency response team to respond to conflicts and natural disasters.

CBM reached more than 31 million people in 2012.[2] It supports more than 700 partner-projects in 70 countries and works with various partner organisations, including disabled people's organisations, mission agencies, local churches, self-help groups and relief agencies. It has (as of 2012) 11 member associations in Europe, North America and Oceania.

References

  1. "Christian Blind Mission". UNESCO Bankgok. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  2. CBM in numbers

External links

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