Book Aid International donated 1.2 million books in 2023

Book Aid International donated 1.2 million books to readers in 22 different countries in 2023, published by the likes of Bloomsbury, Macmillan, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Oxford University Press (OUP) and Pearson. 

As part of a three-year Power of Books strategy, Book Aid International has been attempting to reach those who face the greatest barriers to reading. This has included focusing on supporting refugees and working with partners across Africa and the Middle East to offer thousands of people who have fled conflicts the chance to read. In 2023 alone, 74,000 books reached refugees through their work. 

Another campaign which was launched this year, Generation Reader, has seen 152,000 brand new books being gifted within its first year, with the potential to reach 1.1 million readers. Working with partners such as AfriKids in Ghana the charity wants to create safe spaces for children to read.  

Imogen Poole, a sales and marketing director at CUP, said: “CUP is proud to partner with Book Aid International on the invaluable work they do across Sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, the Books To Go project, with its emphasis on teacher and librarian training and reading for pleasure, aligns closely with our ambition to support people in pursuing their potential through education and research.” 

Alison Tweed, Book Aid International’s chief executive, also commented: “Last year proved to be a challenging year – with the devastating impact of climate change, ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and the ever-rising cost of living which has tipped so many individuals and communities into real hardship. We know that the books we send are giving millions of people the opportunity to read and the power to transform their lives.” 

Book Aid International also thanked Elsevier, Hachette, Sage Publishing and Wiley for their support.