Trócaire has warned that recent cuts to international aid programmes could result in the deaths of millions of people across the globe.
The warning comes as the annual Trócaire Box appeal for Lent draws to a close and people in Co. Dublin are urged to return their donations.
Caoimhe de Barra, Trócaire’s CEO, said, “The US, the world’s richest country, cancelled 90% of its international aid programme recently. The UK immediately followed by substantially reducing its aid programme with other governments set to follow suit. Millions of the world’s most vulnerable people rely on this aid for survival and the consequences for these people is devastating. Trócaire is proactively working to respond to the cuts and support those most affected.”
“The cuts are happening at a time when the global need for humanitarian assistance has never been higher with more than 120 armed conflicts globally and increasing evidence of ever more extreme weather-related events attributable to climate change both having major impacts on already vulnerable families and communities. Conflict and climate change are two of the biggest drivers of displacement and poverty in the world today,” Caoimhe de Barra said.
The Trócaire Box appeal this Lent focused on how the effects of climate change are driving families in Guatemala further into poverty. Climate change could push as many as 130 million people into extreme poverty by the year 2030, wiping out much of the progress made in recent years in some of the world’s most fragile countries. Trócaire supports marginalised rural communities to grow enough food to feed themselves and to adapt to the impacts of climate change and damage to their environment.
Caoimhe de Barra said, “To say that these cuts will be devastating is a vast understatement. Humanitarian programmes that are saving lives have been shut down. In Ukraine, Afghanistan, Gaza and Sudan, millions of people have already lost access to essential food, water, healthcare and shelter services. In Somalia, where Trócaire provides the only healthcare to Gedo, a region the size of Ireland, the US cuts have led to the termination of a $1.7m Trócaire project, affecting three health centres. In February alone, 100 babies were safely delivered in one of the health centres and the number of mothers dying in childbirth in the areas served by these centres has fallen dramatically since our health centres opened. These health centres, a lifeline for women, had to close as a result of the US cuts.”
“Trócaire is fortunate to have very strong support from the public in Co. Dublin and right across the country as well as the Irish Government, which allows us to weather this storm. Trócaire will continue to support our local partner organisations in the countries where we work as they provide essential services and carry out vital life-saving work. We need the support of the Irish public now more than ever if we are to continue this work that makes such a positive impact on the lives of so many people. I would urge people to return their Trócaire Box or make a donation so we can ensure support gets to those that need it most as a matter of urgency,” Caoimhe de Barra said.
To make a donation to the Trócaire Box appeal visit www.trocaire.org, call 1800 408 408 or contact your local parish.