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Media Statement, 13th February 2009
GOAL fundamentally disagrees with views expressed by Ned O’Keeffe
TD at yesterdays meeting at the Public Accounts committee in which
the Cork man stated that the Irish Government should cut off its
support to the World Food Programme.
Responding to Mr. O’Keeffe’s comments GOAL CEO John
O’Shea said;
“While many agencies in the UN have an appalling record of
bureaucracy and waste, GOAL would consider the WFP to be one of
the most effective agencies, working to bring relief to some of
the world’s most vulnerable people.
“The World Food Programme is one of the few UN agencies with
a proven record of achievement in a critically important area.
"They deliver the food to the starving and, on balance, they
do an excellent job.
"To cut their aid would be to guarantee that thousands of
people would die, especially in Sub Saharan Africa.”
The aid official added,
“Mr O’Keeffe’s assertion that “charity
beings at home” shows a dangerously inward way of thinking.
As responsible members of the International Community, it is imperative
that the Irish Government does its duty and honours it obligations
to the poorest people on the planet- and doesn’t make cut
backs in areas that would directly affect those who need our assistance
the most.”
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