Freelance journalists and media workers in sub-Saharan Africa are among the poorest and most exploited in the world. Many of them live and work in the most basic of conditions, with low-grade technology and no support structure.

A lot of freelancers work locally and alone - some in the midst of long-standing conflict - which makes them easy targets for threats, intimidation and violence. Much of this goes unreported.   

Thanks to our strong network of partners, we have been able to provide emergency and long-term assistance to freelancers and their families in 14 countries across the continent, and this will always be a priority. 

But we are also investigating the possibility of regional initiatives and ways in which our work can have a greater impact on the situation of freelancers - for instance in East Africa, where an estimated 80% of journalists are freelance, many of them living in exile.

Click to read more about some of our beneficiaries in Africa:

Somalia - Freelancers Under Fire
The complete lack of infrastructure and security in Somalia makes it a very difficult country in which to work, but our continuous efforts with local contacts and networks paid off. In June 2010 we were able to provide grants to the families of six Somali freelancers who had been killed and support a female Somali freelancer who was in hiding. And in 2011 we have supported a further 2 Somali freelancers in exile in Kenya. Read more

• Rwanda - Lucie Umukundwa: Threatened / In exile

• Kenya: Clifford Derrick - In crisis

• Zimbabwe: the family of Nkosana Mpofu