
CBM in Numbers
Overview of our global reach in 2019
CBM helped millions of persons with disabilities and at-risk of disabilities improve their lives and end the vicious cycle of poverty and disability.
In 2019, CBM was active in 51 countries, supported 540 projects, worked with 347 partner organisations and reached 10.70 million people through core activities. We reached about 29 million people in 9 countries who were affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and received treatment or underwent eye surgeries. An additional 31 million were treated through Mass Drug Administration (MDA).
Lastly, we reached about 27,458 countable persons through our inclusive humanitarian action activities.
We improved the lives of millions living with disabilities in poor communities with the generous support of nearly one million active donors and a total programme expenditure of around 69 million euro.
The core focus of our reach in more detail
In 2019, a total of 10,700,652 persons benefitted from at least one of our core activities through a CBM partner. Our core activities include:
- medical services,
- access to inclusive education services, and
- enrollment in community based inclusive development services.
Medical services include medical eye care, services for ear and orthopaedic conditions, mental health as well as other diseases and disabilities.

90-year-old Joseph from Rwanda is happy thanks to CBM; he can see himself after a cataract operation.
CBM1. Medical services
In 2019, 10,279,133 people received medical services and 115,938 people were either referred to the above medical services or rehabilitation services, or they received personal assistance to be able to access these services.
10,279,133 people received medical services:
- 9,267,374 - Vision - Eye Health
- 553,139 - Ear & Hearing Care
- 338,566 - Physical/Orthopaedic conditions
- 46,255 - Community Mental Health
- 73,785 - Other medical services
115,938 people were either referred to the above medical services or rehabilitation services, or they received personal assistance to be able to access these services.
2. Inclusive Education
In 2019, 44,062 persons with disabilities were enrolled or registered in education projects, of which 36,811 were children.
CBM promotes access to education for girls, boys, women and men with disability. This includes adaptations of schools, professional training of teachers and improvement of learning materials.
Training was provided to 24,742 teachers and 11,389 parents and caregivers for home-based academic support of persons with disabilities enrolled in integrated or inclusive settings. In total, 36,131 trainings in education were carried out.
CBM strengthens local and national education systems by training teachers, thus enabling students with disabilities to access education services.
3. Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID)
377,457 persons with disabilities were enrolled in our CBID projects of which 42% were children. As part of CBM's comprehensive programme work, 91,115 persons accessed our inclusive livelihood programmes by receiving vocational training, obtaining employment as well as financial services.
Our reach in other key areas
Apart from CBM's core activities, we are reaching many more people through our work in neglected tropical diseases, inclusive humanitarian action, disability inclusive development and empowerment, including safeguarding.

Children in the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh play in the Centre for Disability in Development / CBM inclusive child-friendly space in August 2018.
©CBM/ Hayduk