“For instance, in Afghanistan, CARE Canada provided primary education to thousands of children to increase access to education through community-based classes.

“In East Africa, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank is working with farmers, particularly women, to integrate conservation agriculture in their farming practices.

“In sub-Saharan Africa and Central America, SeedChange is collaborating with small-scale farmers to develop new varieties of seeds that are locally adapted and resistant to drought, flooding, pests and diseases and provide nutritious food to local communities.

“Canadian NGOs also play a critical role in addressing gaps in health systems and in taking a rights-based approach to reach the poorest and most underserved. Amref Canada, for example, focuses on reaching vulnerable populations to increase the awareness of and access to quality maternal and reproductive health services.

“On this World NGO Day, we celebrate these organizations that stand up in the most challenging situations to end poverty and hunger, to achieve gender equality, to foster peace, to build real partnerships and to protect the planet for future generations.”