Minister Costello highlights results at the launch of the Irish Aid Annual Report

Minister Costello, pictured with Irish Aid Centre Guides Justine and Saleh, launched the Irish Aid Annual Report 2013.

Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello, TD, today launched the 2013 Irish Aid Annual Report, which sets out the results achieved by Ireland’s international development programme, Irish Aid.

Speaking at the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre on Dublin’s O’Connell Street, Minister Costello said:

“2013 was a significant year for Irish Aid and the Irish people can be proud of what their overseas development aid programme has achieved.

“We are internationally recognised as one of the most effective and responsive aid programmes globally, particularly for our work on tackling hunger. Our aid is working, as evidenced by the very positive results highlighted in this report.

“During 2013, many countries, including Syria, Iraq, the Philippines, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan, continued to face significant challenges as a result of natural disaster, conflict and under-development. Irish Aid responded quickly and effectively to minimise the terrible toll on communities and families – providing over €94 million for shelter materials, clean water, food and other emergency supplies.

“The Hunger Nutrition and Climate Justice Conference we hosted in Dublin Castle in April 2013 on the interlinked themes of hunger, nutrition and climate justice brought together global policy makers and grassroots representatives of communities to discuss these critical challenges.

“The Government’s new policy entitled One World, One Future, which was launched in May, will inform and direct our International Development activities over the coming years.

“During our EU Presidency in 2013, Ireland succeeded in brokering an agreed EU position on the crucial international negotiations which led to a new framework to guide all our development efforts from 2015, when the Millennium Development Goals expire.”

Read the full report here. 

Among the results highlighted in the 2013 Annual Report are:

• Ethiopia: the number of children aged five or younger dying of preventable causes has been reduced by 44% between 2005 and 2013.

• In Vietnam, almost 2,000 items of unexploded ordnance were removed in 2013, benefiting more than 24,000 people in Central Vietnam.

• Malawi: the number of people contracting malaria declined by 58% in the target areas where Irish Aid is working with local partners.

• Syria: By the end of 2013, Ireland had provided more than €14 million in response to the humanitarian needs of the Syrian people, both within Syria and to those forced to flee to neighbouring countries.

• The Philippines: Following the typhoon in the Philippines at the end of 2013, Ireland immediately sent 166 tonnes of emergency supplies, and five technical experts, as well as providing €4 million to partners to support the relief effort.

• Zambia: 97% of primary school aged children now attend school, with almost equal numbers of girls and boys.

ENDS
Press Office
3 July 2014

Notes for the editor

• Irish Aid is the Government’s programme for overseas development. It is managed by the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

• In 2013, the Government provided €637.10 million – a slight increase over 2012 €628.90 million. That’s 0.46% of GNP to ODA.

Further results:
 
• Iraq: €200,000 to Goal and €75,000 to Christian Aid to support the provision of essential relief items to vulnerable families who have been displaced by the recent fighting.  In addition, we have authorised the airlifting of essential relief items (such as blankets, kitchen sets, jerry cans and shelter supplies) worth €220,000 from our stocks in Dubai.

• Tanzania: In 2013, for the first time, at least 24 district councils began a targeted programme to tackle hunger and under-nutrition among children under the age of five. Irish Aid and our partners are providing support and technical advice to the councils.

• South Sudan: The total Irish Government contribution to the South Sudan crisis amounts to almost €5 million to date in 2014.

• Central African Republic: Life-saving emergency assistance was provided to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict in the Central Africa Republic. €2 million was used to provide food, water, shelter and healthcare for the worst-affected communities.