DÓCHAS
The Irish Association of Non-Governmental Development Organisations
PRESS RELEASE 04 August 2011 Horn of Africa crisis:
Donations to Irish aid agencies reach over €7 million
Dóchas, the umbrella organisation of Ireland's overseas development organisations, today revealed that donations to relief efforts in the Horn of Africa region are being supported generously by people in Ireland.
Figures released by Dóchas show that donations to Irish aid agencies are exceeding €7 million.
“Over 12 million people are facing famine because of severe shortages of food and water in large parts of East Africa as the region is experiencing the worst drought for around 60 years. Fortunately, the suffering of the people of the Horn of Africa has not gone unnoticed in Ireland. Despite recent calls that charity begins – and supposedly ends – at home, the people of Ireland have once again shown tremendous generosity in the face of human suffering,” said Hans Zomer, Director of Dóchas.
“The Irish public have donated some €7 million to aid agencies working in the region so far. This number is set to rise in the coming weeks, as donations continue to come in, and as the needs of over 12 million people affected by the drought are becoming increasingly apparent. In addition, the Government has provided almost €7 million available to programmes to help the people affected by this unprecedented catastrophe,” continued Zomer.
On 20 July, the United Nations (UN) declared a state of famine in parts of southern Somalia – highlighting a crisis that has killed tens of thousands of people, and urging the international community to greater action.
“UN officials have described the drought in Somalia as the worst humanitarian crisis in the troubled country in two decades, and warned that this crisis is not going away soon. The relief needs in Somalia and other countries affected by the drought are enormous. We urge people to keep supporting aid agencies to provide vital assistance to the 12 million people affected, and to log onto www.HowYouCanHelp.ie to learn more about how Irish aid agencies respond to crises,” concluded Hans Zomer.
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CONTACT
Hans Zomer, Dóchas Director, tel. 085 728 3258 / 01 405 3801
Holy Ramanankasina, Dóchas Information Officer, Tel. 085 749 1924 / 01 405 3801
NOTES FOR THE EDITOR
1. Several Dóchas member organisations are working to provide humanitarian assistance in the Horn of Africa region. These are listed on a dedicated public information website, www.HowYouCanHelp.ie.
2. Dóchas has a 2-page briefing paper on disaster relief: See http://www.dochas.ie/Shared/Files/2/Emergencies_Helping_People_Back_from_the_Brink.pdf
3. The Horn of Africa crisis arises from low rainfall (the lowest rainfall rates in half a century) and sharp increases in food prices – meaning that available food has become unaffordable for many people. The protracted conflict in Somalia has aggravated the situation, and has hindered access for relief agencies.
4. Dóchas is the association of Irish Non-Governmental Development Organisations. It provides a forum for consultation and cooperation between its 45 member organisations, and helps them speak with a single voice on development issues.
For more information, visit: www.dochas.ie
Dóchas members
A-Z Children’s Charity - ActionAid Ireland – Afri - Africa Centre – Aidlink - Alan Kerins Projects - Amnesty International Ireland - Camara Education - Centre for Global Education - ChildFund Ireland - Children in Crossfire - Christian Aid Ireland - Christian Blind Mission Ireland - Church Missionary Society Ireland (CMSI) – Comhlámh – Concern Worldwide - Friends of Londiani (Ireland) - Galway One World Centre – Gorta - Habitat for Humanity Ireland - Irish League of Credit Unions International Development Foundation (ILCU/IDF) - Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) - Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) - Irish Foundation for Co-operative Development (IFCD) - Irish Missionary Union (IMU) - Irish Red Cross (IRC) - Kerry Action for Development Education (KADE) - National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) - Oxfam – Ireland - Plan Ireland - Progressio Ireland - Self Help Africa - Sightsavers International Ireland - Skillshare International Ireland - Suas Educational Development - Tearfund Ireland - The Hope Foundation - The National Council of Ireland YMCA Trust – Trócaire - Vita - Voluntary Service International (VSI) - Voluntary Service Overseas (Ireland) - Volunteer Missionary Movement (VMM) - War on Want Northern Ireland - World Vision Ireland.
Donations to Irish aid agencies reach over €7 million
Dóchas, the umbrella organisation of Ireland's overseas development organisations, today revealed that donations to relief efforts in the Horn of Africa region are being supported generously by people in Ireland.
Figures released by Dóchas show that donations to Irish aid agencies are exceeding €7 million.
“Over 12 million people are facing famine because of severe shortages of food and water in large parts of East Africa as the region is experiencing the worst drought for around 60 years. Fortunately, the suffering of the people of the Horn of Africa has not gone unnoticed in Ireland. Despite recent calls that charity begins – and supposedly ends – at home, the people of Ireland have once again shown tremendous generosity in the face of human suffering,” said Hans Zomer, Director of Dóchas.
“The Irish public have donated some €7 million to aid agencies working in the region so far. This number is set to rise in the coming weeks, as donations continue to come in, and as the needs of over 12 million people affected by the drought are becoming increasingly apparent. In addition, the Government has provided almost €7 million available to programmes to help the people affected by this unprecedented catastrophe,” continued Zomer.
On 20 July, the United Nations (UN) declared a state of famine in parts of southern Somalia – highlighting a crisis that has killed tens of thousands of people, and urging the international community to greater action.
“UN officials have described the drought in Somalia as the worst humanitarian crisis in the troubled country in two decades, and warned that this crisis is not going away soon. The relief needs in Somalia and other countries affected by the drought are enormous. We urge people to keep supporting aid agencies to provide vital assistance to the 12 million people affected, and to log onto www.HowYouCanHelp.ie to learn more about how Irish aid agencies respond to crises,” concluded Hans Zomer.
< ENDS >
CONTACT
Hans Zomer, Dóchas Director, tel. 085 728 3258 / 01 405 3801
Holy Ramanankasina, Dóchas Information Officer, Tel. 085 749 1924 / 01 405 3801
NOTES FOR THE EDITOR
1. Several Dóchas member organisations are working to provide humanitarian assistance in the Horn of Africa region. These are listed on a dedicated public information website, www.HowYouCanHelp.ie.
2. Dóchas has a 2-page briefing paper on disaster relief: See http://www.dochas.ie/Shared/Files/2/Emergencies_Helping_People_Back_from_the_Brink.pdf
3. The Horn of Africa crisis arises from low rainfall (the lowest rainfall rates in half a century) and sharp increases in food prices – meaning that available food has become unaffordable for many people. The protracted conflict in Somalia has aggravated the situation, and has hindered access for relief agencies.
4. Dóchas is the association of Irish Non-Governmental Development Organisations. It provides a forum for consultation and cooperation between its 45 member organisations, and helps them speak with a single voice on development issues.
For more information, visit: www.dochas.ie
Dóchas members
A-Z Children’s Charity - ActionAid Ireland – Afri - Africa Centre – Aidlink - Alan Kerins Projects - Amnesty International Ireland - Camara Education - Centre for Global Education - ChildFund Ireland - Children in Crossfire - Christian Aid Ireland - Christian Blind Mission Ireland - Church Missionary Society Ireland (CMSI) – Comhlámh – Concern Worldwide - Friends of Londiani (Ireland) - Galway One World Centre – Gorta - Habitat for Humanity Ireland - Irish League of Credit Unions International Development Foundation (ILCU/IDF) - Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) - Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) - Irish Foundation for Co-operative Development (IFCD) - Irish Missionary Union (IMU) - Irish Red Cross (IRC) - Kerry Action for Development Education (KADE) - National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) - Oxfam – Ireland - Plan Ireland - Progressio Ireland - Self Help Africa - Sightsavers International Ireland - Skillshare International Ireland - Suas Educational Development - Tearfund Ireland - The Hope Foundation - The National Council of Ireland YMCA Trust – Trócaire - Vita - Voluntary Service International (VSI) - Voluntary Service Overseas (Ireland) - Volunteer Missionary Movement (VMM) - War on Want Northern Ireland - World Vision Ireland.
