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Media Statement, 8th July 2008
GOAL CEO John O’Shea said that the decision to cut overseas
development aid by €45 million was morally indefensible, and
depending on where the cut is made, it could result in many thousands
of lives being lost unnecessarily.
“It reflects an appalling attitude on the part of our Government
to those who struggle for survival.
“Today millions of desperately poor people face death from
starvation, in such places as Ethiopia, Burma and Darfur. The reality
is that an implementing agency such as GOAL works at the coalface
of poverty, and literally is the difference between life and death
for thousands of vulnerable people, who strive to survive on a
daily basis.
“If the Government is worried about value for money, then
it is imperative that the Government ceases funding African Governments
bi-laterally. If money must be taken away, then is should be taken
from the grasps of brutal and corrupt regimes and not from implementing
NGO’s and Missionaries with a proven record of delivering
aid to the poorest of the poor.
When this country had little, it gave so much – and won
an unrivalled reputation in the Third World. Now that we have so
much, we seem to want to take from the poor, who are in such desperate
need”.
For more information contact John O’Shea on 086 8527427 |
