Impact
October highlights: Focusing on necessity and action
In a world beset by humanitarian crises, swift and adaptable aid is more crucial than ever. At People for People, this is our specialty. Our startup spirit enables us to test, learn, and iterate rapidly, and to pivot whenever change demands. By working cross-functionally, we scale our impact efficiently – without becoming resource-heavy.
In October, we focused on refining our structure, frameworks, and team capacity. Meanwhile, we continued to respond to the urgent needs of displaced people, both locally and across borders.
Here are some highlights of what we achieved:
Supply chain in action: Delivering lifelines
Our supply chain never stopped moving. On one end, loads of crucial supplies arrived at our warehouse from partner companies, and on the other, stacks of aid got packed, loaded, and dispatched to different locations locally and globally.
- Over 50,000 relief items, including hygiene kits and winter clothing, arrived from partner companies, ready for distribution.
- 10 volunteers joined our warehouse team to pack over 4,000 essential items including schoolbags, winter clothing, and hygiene kits – all in one day!
- In total, we delivered over 1,000 essential items – including laptops, schoolbags, and clothing – to people in crisis locally and abroad.
Sharpening our focus for greater impact
With agility comes responsibility: to reach those others can’t, and to fill the gaps where systems fall short.
In October, we refined our ways of working for maximum impact:
- We’re excited to have Denise on board as our Public Relations Specialist! With her sharp strategic mindset, she’s helping us translate our wide range of activities into a clear and focused profile – refining our vision, setting bold goals for 2026, and building a strong message house to strengthen how we share People for People’s story with the world.
- We launched an Agile training with Elif Savaş, an Agile coach from Picnic. With her, we’re exploring how Agile principles can help us deliver value faster and collaborate better. On the first day, Elif walked us through the theory of Agile and the why behind it. It sparked rich discussions about how we work, and set the stage for applying those concepts in practice.
- To deepen our understanding of the communities we serve, our colleague, Jill, led a knowledge session on life inside Dutch asylum reception centres (AZCs). Drawing from her COA experience, she shared valuable insights on daily realities and best practices. These sessions, paired with our field experience, help us continuously align our work with real needs.
11,700 items distributed in Ukraine
Through our partner Lifeline Ukraine, 11,700 emergency items – from clothes and mats to Clean the World hygiene kits – reached displaced families in conflict zones. Seeing children smile as they received essential items reminded us why this work matters.
Cautious hope in Gaza
After extensive research, we’re preparing new interventions to support the people of Gaza after two years of war, siege and displacement. This will include food basket distributions to thousands of families struggling with food shortages. We’re also preparing to support grassroots organisations with mental health programmes for children and adolescents.
The needs in Gaza remain immense. To reach as many people as possible, we call on companies to step in and support our urgent response. You can get involved as a company via this link.
Earlier in October, alongside a quarter of a million people, we joined the red line demonstration in Amsterdam, calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian access in Gaza.
Five days later, a ceasefire was announced, but it has been repeatedly violated. We continue to hope that a lasting pause in the conflict will finally bring relief to the people of Gaza.
Partner spotlight: Care4Good Foundation
Care4Good Foundation creates temporary housing for people in vulnerable situations by identifying, furnishing and renovating vacant properties in the Netherlands. They’re now transforming an office in Amsterdam into a shelter for 300 Ukrainian refugees. We’re supporting this effort by coordinating household donations and mobilising volunteers from our partner companies – a meaningful way to make a difference while fostering stronger teamwork.
A few spots are left for companies and individuals to contribute! Ready to roll up your sleeves for a good cause? Bring your team on board and sign up via this link between 1–19 December.
Looking ahead
People for People Days
In the coming months, we’ll organise new People for People Days for unaccompanied migrant children at reception centres, starting in a soon-to-open location in Biddinghuizen. These activities build on insights from past events and our earlier mental health research, ensuring each new day has greater impact.
As we step into the next chapter, we remain focused on strengthening our foundation, expanding our partnerships, and meeting urgent needs. With renewed energy and deeper understanding of the people we serve, we’re turning commitment into action, and hope into tangible support.
Are you ready to join us? Take action today!
