IKEILIEASE {R]tTKEA Annual Report and Financial Statements Release Eritrea Year ended 29th of February 2024 Charity Number: 1136627 Company Number: 06815078
Contents Page Legal and administrative Tnfonnation Page 1 Trusteeg report Page 2-7 Independent Examiner's report Page 8 Statement of financial activities Page 9 Balan sheet Page 10-11 Notes to the finanaal statements Page 12-15
Release Eritrea (A company limited by guarantee) Legal and administrative information Registered Charity Number: 1136627 Company House Number: 6815078 Business Address: 152 Kirkham Street London SE18 2EN Registered Office: 152 Kirkham Street London SE18 2EN Director: Director: Dr. Berhane Asmelash Selam Kidane Board of Trustees: Fecadu Abraha Eyassu Ukbai Selam Kidane Selam Bahat Tesfamichael Yohannes J Alula Eyob Haile Chair Treasurer Bankers: Barclays Bank Plc 1 Northend East Croydon CRO 1T Page 1
Release Eritrea IA company Limited by guarantee) Trustees Report (Incorporati ng the Directors. Report) Year ended 29 February 2024 The Trustees present their report and the finanaal statements for the year ended 29 February 2024. The Trustees, who are also directors of Release Eritrea {RE) for the purposes of company law and who Served during the year up to the date of this report, are set out on the preceding pages. Structure• sovernance and nnagennt Governlng Document The Organization is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 10 February 2009 and reg7stered as a charity on 29 June 2010. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is govemed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 . Recnrftment and Appolntment of Alanagement Commlttee The Board of Trustees of the company are also Charity Trustees for the purposes of Charity Law; they receive no financial incentives except what is eligible for a Trustee. The Operational Directors manage the day to day activities of the organisation, supported by a team of staff and volunteers for each project. The charity has a Supporters Group that meets annually to receive the report of activities and plan for the forthcoming year. Organtsatlonal Structure The Board of Trustees consist of Six people all of Eritrean origin. They meet on a quarterly basis to monitor the working progress of the organisation. Two members of the Board are also the Operational Directors of the company responsible for the implementation and execution of the action plan approved by the Board of Trustees. The responsibility for running the charity's activity and ensuring the provision of seICeS rests on the Operational Directors, and project team manager5. The Operational Directors are responsible for ensuring that the charity delivers the ServIS specified and that key performance indicators are met. Page 2
Relthqse Eritrea { A Company Limited by guarantee) Trustees Report (Incorporating the Di rectors. Report) Year ended 29 February 2024 Objectlves and actlvltles Key objectlves The objectives of the compony are .' 1) The promotion of equalty and diversity for the public benefit by: a) advancing educatK)n and raising awareness in equalty and diversity; b) activities to foster understanding bebNeen people from diverse backgrounds; c) cultivating a sentiment in favour of equality and diversity 2) The promotion of religious harmony for the benefit of the public by educating the public of different religious beliefs, including an awareness of their distinctive features and their common ground to promote good relations between persons of different faiths; 3) The promotion of human rights (as set out in the Universal Declarath)n of Human Rights and subsequent Uniled Nations conventK)ns and declarations) throughout the world by all or any of the following means: a) Monitoring abuses of human rights; b) Relieving need among the victims of human rights abuse. c) Raising awareness of human rights issues; Release Eritrea continues to promote freedom of religious worship in Eritrea and supports victims of such abuse by offering support and advocacy as well as prayers and spiritual guidan. Through the period under report there hasn't been an improvement to human rights violations including freedom of religious worship in Eritrea. All churches not belonging the 'recognised' groups are still closed and those that are 'recognised' are also put under various forms of pressure and their operations continue to be heavily controlled. The UN continues to be seriously concerned by the human rights violations in the country and particularly the implications for the outflow of refugees who seem to be leaving Eritrea at an unprecedented rate, to Sudan and Ethiopia and then further afield. Release Eritrea continues to be active in all three areas of work namely: 1) Prayer and interSsion 2) Practical assistance for victims of hurnan rights violations and refugees 3) Advocacy Below we provide a brief outline of the achievements in each of the above areas of work outlined above. Prayer and Intercession Members of Release Eritrea have led and participated in various prayer events, here at home in the UK through zoom because of Covid 19. Page 3
Release Eritrea (A Company Llmited by guarantee) Trustees Report (Incorporati ng the Directors. Report) Year ended 29 February 2024 2. Practical assistance Refugees Release Eritrea continue5 to provide finanaal and spiritual support and guidan to individual refugees, families, as well as groups and churches in the refugee communities in Ethiopia. In this finanaal year there were some new developments for the Eritrean refugees in Sudan. In 2023 a new war flared up in Sudan. Sudan has been home for tens of thousands of Eritrean refugees. after the war broke out Eritrean refugees became targets of human traffickers and bandits. So it had a devastating effect on the Eritrean refugees. Because of that many were displaced some of them died and others kidnapped. The rest fled to Egypt, some to Ethiopia and others to South Sudan and Uganda. Currently 25,000 refugees are settled in North West Ethiopian refugee camp and on the Sudan Ethiopian t)order, Metema. Due to civil war and lawlessness on the Amhara region in Ethiopia, these refugees have become targets of kidnapping for ransoms and human traffickers. The number of Eritrean refugees in Addis Ababa is more than 100,000. Our charity has been supporting those who still remained in Tigray and those who run to Addis Ababa. We are providing support to thousands of urban refugees in the capitsl. Some of the refugees are forced into commercial sex woth and become victims of human trafficking. Release Eritrea has continued the ongoing project in Addis Ababa, supporting vulnerable women by providing vocational training, such as cooking, tailoring, hair dressing, filmlng and video editing, mobile phone repairing, computer training, and accounting. In this financial year we supported 202 women to tske vocational training and we supported 5 of them to start their own business. Others were hired in different business sectors, such as restaurants, photo shops, coffee shops, hair salons and beautiaans. We also provide shelter, food, and transport for pregnant women and for tho* with little children. We also provide transport fees for the students until they finish their course. The course lasts from three to six months. We also provide food packages to families in need. During this projett year, We have provided food packages to over 119 families, most of them are single mothers with two to three children we also provide shoes, clothes and stationeries to more than two hundred needy children, each package consists, school bag, writing pads, pens and penals. These are 254 children. We also provide financial assistan to needy families, helping them with paying their house rents and medical costs We donated 300 pairs of wellington boots for thildren under ten in the Alemwach refugee camp in Ethiopia. This camp located in North Westem Ethiopia is tnuddy and flooded during the rainy season of June to septamber. Page 4
Release Erftrea IA Company Limited by guarantee) Trustees Report (Incorporati ng the Di rectors. Report) Year ended 29 February 2024 Tlgray Internally displaced people {IDPs) The war in figray is over, after the November 2022 peace deal between the warring parties; the Ethiopian government and the Tigray Liberation Forces. The SsatiOn of hostilities is holding and the guns have been silenced, but thousands of IDPS of vulnerable people, women, thildren, the elderly and people with speaal need are still suffering and have not returned to their villages. So we are still running our feeding program in Shire and also Adwa towns. Through this project over hundreds of people have been supported in Adwa aty and people are continuing to get our support. This program was also an on-going program until this report was written, we have also secured enough fund for this project year. In our program we also supported people with insulin dependent diabetes and the elderly. Since January 2023 we have also started to support Eritrean refugees in Mekelle. The number is not as big as in Addis Obaba but we heard that they are in desperate need. The total number of Eritrean refugees in Mekelle 15 about 1270. Prisoners and their families support Release Eritrea continues to support hundreds of prisoners of Conscien and their families inside Eritrea. Currently, there are still hundreds of prisoners of faith whom we are aware of. In the year of 2023124 there were about 160 newly arrested Christians and over 90 were released. Some of the senior pastors have been in prison for 20 years, and about 20 prisoners are currently in prison for over 10 years. Most of the prisoners are members of the banned faith groups by the Eritrean govemment, such as the Baptists, Pentecostals, Free Evangelicals, and the Methodists. Although some of the sanctioned churches, such as the Orthodox and Catholics have been targeted and subjected to harassment and prison, the Protestants are the prime target of the abuse. In September 2023 a Catholic bishop was arrested by the Eritrean security. Many members of the Orthodox are also face persecution. There are three Orthodox clergies who have been in prison since November 2004. Most of the released prisoners are suffering from PTSDS, so Release Eritrea is providing medical, psychological, pastoral, and financial help. Our staff have been conducted trauma counselling in Addis Ababa and several towns in figray. Release Eritrea is at present providing financial and pastoral support for the needy families. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our supporters and volunteers without whose commitment and dedication wouldn't have been able to fulfil our obligation to support those who are in desperate need. We want also to give a special thanks to our volunteers and workers in Eritrean, Ethiopia and other project sites. Page 5
Release Eritrea (A Company Limited by guarantee) Trustees Report (Incorporating the Directors. Report) Year ended 29 February 2024 Radio broadcast The two dajs a week Short wave radio Servi have grown to a four days a week. This is due to high demand from our listeners in the refugee camps, Eritrea and figray region in North Ethiopia. Through this radio broadcast we focus on several soaal and educational issues; such as human trafficking, modem day slavery, love, relationship and marriage, Bible teachings and spiritual songs.. We also have sessions on health education suth as; HIV, TB, nutrition, sanitation. This Shortwave broadcast ha5 wide audience in Eritrea and figray region. After evaluating our serViS from our listeners we are planning to add two more days in the coming year, so we viill have six days a week. 3. Advocacy One of the main objectives of Release Eritrea is being a voice to the vol-[eSS in Eritrea at the moment there are tens of thousands of prisoners of conscience. A lot of them have been in prison for over 10 years. Some of our members of trustee5 and directors of Relea Eritrea have the opportunity to highlight the causes of the prisoners of conscience to the international community. The opportunities we had was presentations to members of the UK parliament, during the parliamentary prayer moming. Our directors had also numerous occasions to speak on the BBC world and several Christian media outlets. We had also the opportunity to share our visions and programs to several churches and charity organisations. Our travel and speech engagement have been restricted due to the covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, most of our team have the opportunity to make contacts and conferences on-line. We have also a few travel engagements and speech opportunities in some European countries. We wilL continue to engage the international community until we see changes in Eritrea. Page 6
Release Eritrea ( A company Ilmited by guarantee) Trustees Report (IncorporatTng the DI rectors. Report) Year ended 29 February 2024 Statement of Trustees, Responslbllltles The Trustees (who are also dirertors of RELEASE ERITREA for the purpose of Company Law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees. Annual Report statements in accordan with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practi. Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare finanaal statements for each finanaal year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the tharitable company for that period. In preparing these finanaal statements, the Trustees are required to: • select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; • observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; •make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; •state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. and "prepare the financial ststements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hen for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Small compary provlslons This report has been prepared in accordance viith the special provisions for small companies under Part 15 of the Companies Att 2006. On behalf of the board Fecadu Abraha Chair. Board of Trustee5 Release Eritrea Page 7
Release Eritrea { A Company limited by guarantee) Independent examiner's report to the trustees on the unaudited flnancial statement of Release Eritrea. I report on the account of Release Eritrea for the year ended 29 February 2024 set out on pages 2 to 14. Respectlve responslbllltles of trustees and Independent examlner The charity's trustees (who are also the directors of the cornpany for pu of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Att), and that an independent examination is needed. It is my re5pJnsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under settion 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act; and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basts of Independent examlner's statement My examination was carried out in accordan with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlner's statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 1 . which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: •to keep proper accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Company Att 2006; and •to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the company Act 2006 and with methods and prinaples of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met. or 2. to whith, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached pendent e Dawit Araya 7 Hasted Close, DA9 9HS iner Page 8
Rel&qse Eritrea { A company Ilmrted by guarantee) Statement of financlal activities (incorporating the Income and expenditure account) For the year ended 29 February 2024 Unrestricted Restrlcted Notes funds funds 2024 2023 Inconiing Resowces Incoming Resources from generating funds: Voluntary income tivities for generating funds Other Income Total incoming resources 407,530 407,530 424,069 412 530 412 530 424 069 Resources Expended Charitable attivities Total resowce expended 433 239 433,239 447 920 447.920 384.840 384.840 Net Incomlngl(outgoing)resources for the yearl Net income l (expenditure) for the year (14,680) (20,710) (35.390) 39,229 Total funds brought forward Totsl funds carrfed forward 158 326 137 616 183 495 148 105 183 495 The statements of flnandal actfvltles Includes all gains and loss In the year and therefore a separate starnent of total recognld galns and lossess has note been prepared. All of the above amounts relate to continuing actiwties. Page 9
Release Erftrea ( A company limited by guarantee) Balance Sheet as at 29 February 2024 2024 2023 Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 478 1,654 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 147,627 181,841 Creditors: amounts fallings due within one year Net current assets 147 627 181.841 Net assets 148.105 183.495 Funds Restricted income fund5 Unrestricted income funds 137,616 158,326 Total funds 148 105 183 495 Page 10
Release Etitrea ( A company Ilmited by guarantee) Balance Sheet (conti nued) Trustees statements requlred ty the Conyinles Act 2006 for the year ended 29 Febniary 2024 In approvin£ these financial statements as trustees of the company we hereby confirm: a) that for the year stated above the company was entitled to the exemption conferred by section 477 of the companies act 2006 b) that no notice has been deposited at the registered Off1 of the company pursuant to section 476 of the companies Act 2006 requesting that an audit be conducted for the year ended 29 February 2024 c) that we acknowledge our responsibilities for: i) ensuring that the company keeps proper accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006, and ii) preparing finical statements which are true and fair view of the state if affairs of the company as at the end of the finanaal year then ended in accordance with requirements of section 394 and 395, and which otherwise comply with the provision of the Companies Act relating to finanaal statements, so far as applicable to the company. iii) The finanaal statements are prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies act 2006 relating to small companies. iv) The financial stattements were approved by the board on 22nd Oct 2024 and signed on its behalf by Eyassu Ukbai Treasurer Page11
Rel&3se Bltrea ( A company limited by guarantee) Notes to flnanclal statements for the year ended 29 Febnmry 2024 Accounting policies The prinapal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and proceeding year. Basis of accounti ng The finanaal statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the statement of Recommended Prattl ' knounting and Reporting by Charities, issued in Marth 2005 (SORP 2005) and the Companies Act 2006. Cash flow The charity has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS1 from the requirement to produ a cash flow statement because it is a small charity. Incoming resources All incoming resources are included in the statement of finanaal attivities when the charity is entitled to the income and the arnount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific poliaes are applied to particular categories of income: Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is induded in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable. Grants where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity are recogni*d when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant. Donated servi$ and faalities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of the seNices provided by volunteers has not been included. Grants, including grants for the purchase of fixed asset, are recognised in full in the statement of finanaal activities in the year in which they are receivable. Resources expended Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes. Page 12
Release Eritrea ( A company limited by guarantee) Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for the benefiaaries. It indudes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and tho* costs of an indirect nature neSSary to support them. Tangible fixed assets and depreciation Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost le55 residual value of eath asset over its expected useful life, as follows: Fixtures, fittings and equipments - 25% straight line Voluntary income Unrestricted Restricted Fund Fund 2024 Totsl 3,684 3,684 389,452 389.452 13,145 13,145 1,248 1,248 Total 4,359 379.386 10.833 28,491 Donation Release Intemational Church in Chains Penuel Entrustin CAM International 407,530 407,530 424,069 Voluntary income comprises donations and grants reiVed from various donors to carry out projects and other charitable attiwties. Other Income Unrestricted Restricted Fund Fund 2024 2023 Total Total Bank Interest Refund 5,(K)O 5.000 Costs of Charitable activities - by fund type Unrestricted Restricted 2024 Fund Fund 2023 Total 433,239 433.239 Total 381,933 Charitable Expenditure Management & Admin. cost 14.680 433.Z39 447 920 384 840 Page 13
Release Eritrea ( A company limlted by guarantee) Analysis of net assets between funds Unrestricted Restricted Fund Fund Total FurKIs Fund balan at 29 February 2024 as represented by: Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities 478 10,489 478 147,627 £0 148 105 137,139 137 139 Unrestricted fund At 01103/2023 At Outgoing 2910212024 resources Incomlng resources Voluntary Income Other Income Charitable Activities 25,169 25,169 25,169 (14,680) 10,489 Purposes of unrestricted funds Incoming resources generated from gifts, donations and grants which provide funding for the general use of the tharity. Resources expended on tharitable activities comprise all the resources applied by the charity in undertaking its work to meet its charitable objectives as opposed to the cost of raising funds. 7 Taxation The charity's activities fall within the exemption afforded by the provision of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. Accordingly, there is no taxation charge in these accounts. Page 14
Release Erftrea ( A company limited by guarantee) Restricted funds At At 0110312023 Incoming Outgolng 2910212024 resources resources Voluntary Income Charitable Attivities 158,326 407,530 565,856 1381.933) 183.923 1381.933 158.326 407,530 1381,933) Purpose of restricted funds 8. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Cost Office Equipment Total At 0110312023 Additions Disposal At 2910212024 4,704 4,704 4,704 4,704 Depredation At 01 /03/2023 Additions Disposal At 2910212024 3,050 1,176 3,050 1,176 4,226 4,226 Net Book Value At 01 /0312023 At 2910212024 1,654 478 1,654 478 9 Company limited by guarantee Release Eritrea is a company limited by guarant and accordingly does not have a share capital. Every member of the company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be requires not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of it being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member. Page15