Letter: Urgent need for funds in conflict zones as further cuts to global humanitarian aid threaten millions
A letter from Seán Farrell:
The cuts to humanitarian funding across the world are already having huge impacts in the countries where Trócaire works.
We are seeing catastrophic deficits in terms of what is needed. We are approaching three years since the start of the latest conflict in Sudan. Sudan today is the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis with 25 million people in need of aid and 12 million having had to flee their homes. There is widespread acute malnutrition.
The funds are just not there at the level that they need to be to support communities coping with this life-threatening situation.
In Somalia, where Trócaire provides the only healthcare to a region the size of Ireland, our midwives are being put in the devastating position of having to choose who gets treatment as there just aren’t enough resources to cover the need.
Our team in Lebanon has seen people having to face incredible challenges because of the current conflict there and they are working in the most difficult circumstances.
The irony is that at the same time that these cuts are implemented by various countries and are impacting on people caught up in conflict, we are seeing a huge increase in military spending by those same countries. We need to call out this disgraceful state of affairs.
However the people of Northern Ireland have been unflinching in their support of the world’s most vulnerable communities and the difference this support has made, and continues to make, is humbling.
I am issuing a plea to people to return this year’s Trócaire Box Appeal donations as quickly as possible.
I would urge people to make their donation at www.trocaire.org or by calling 0800 912 1200.
Seán Farrell, CEO of Trócaire