Aid organisations to get €60m in Government funding
Irish aid organisations are to receive more than €60m in government funding this year.
The money will support non governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in long-term development programmes across Africa, Asia, South and Central America and the Middle East.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan, whose department manages the Irish Aid overseas assistance programme, said: “Ireland is again showing its determination to support the fight against poverty, hunger and marginalisation.
“Ireland is making a sustained contribution to humanitarian support for those caught up in conflicts such as those affected by the conflict in Syria.
“Long-term development is equally critical and Ireland is supporting work that benefits the poorest, where it is needed most and where it has greatest effect.”
Some €61.34m has been allocated to organisations including Concern Worldwide, Trocaire and Goal, which are trying to address the root causes of poverty, build resilience and help prevent future crises.
It is the fifth year of the funding programme which will have delivered a total €315.45m to Irish Aid’s 16 civil society programme partners since 2012.
Development Minister Sean Sherlock said: “Our Irish partner aid organisations have a unique ability to reach the most vulnerable in society, to help sustain livelihoods and education, to build resilience and promote human rights and good governance. These goals are shared by Irish Aid and our valued civil society partners.
“This allocation of over 60 million euro to long-term development underlines our continued commitment to achieving the vision of sustainable development agreed by all member states of the United Nations last year.”
Other government aid programmes have focussed on health, nutrition, livelihoods, agriculture, education, social protection, governance and human rights.
