Trócaire thank Derry for helping millions

The figures were released this week in Trócaire’s Annual Report, which showed the scale of the aid agency’s work in 2019/20, prior to the global outbreak of Covid-19. 

Launching the report, Trócaire also warned of the long-term impact of Covid-19 in the developing world. The agency has said that over recent months, their programmes have rapidly shifted to help to stop the spread of the virus in countries that lack the most basic medical infrastructure to deal with an outbreak.

Commenting on the newly published, annual report, Trócaire’s Head of Region in Northern Ireland, Siobhan Hanley, said: “Covid-19 is an immediate threat to us all, but the threat is heightened in places like refugee camps where people are unable to socially distance or regularly wash their hands. The social and economic implications of this pandemic have plunged already desperately poor people into further poverty.”

 “We are also concerned about the human rights impact of Covid-19. This crisis may provide authoritarian governments with an opportunity to clamp down on human rights, target human rights defenders and push ahead with projects that violate the rights of communities. Women and girls are also at increased risk of violence due to lockdown measures. Addressing both the drivers and impact of that violence is a priority for Trócaire.”

“Trócaire’s loyal supporters in Co. Derry and throughout Northern Ireland will continue to play a vital role in the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable,” she said

“We’d like to thank the people of Co. Derry for their generous support. Our annual report details of the positive impact our work has had in support of 2.5 million people and that figure is a testament to the commitment of the public here.”

The financial year 2019/20 saw the public in Ireland, north and south, donate £21m to Trócaire – donations that change the lives of some of the poorest people in the world.

Trócaire’s 2019 Lenten Appeal saw a 10 per cent increase in donations, resulting in £7.5m being contributed to the charity. 

The charity supported people in 27 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Trócaire’s largest programmes last year were in Ethiopia, Sudan and DR Congo.  Of the 2.5 million people the organisation supported last year, 1.8 million people received humanitarian support, while an additional 700,000 people were supported through Trócaire’s long-term development work.