Irish Aid and Red Cross enter into a new partnership
Minister of State for Overseas Development, Michael Kitt T.D., joined the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Markku Niskala, and the Honorary Secretary of the Irish Red Cross, Jennifer Bulbulia, today in Dublin to launch a new two-year funding partnership between Irish Aid and the International Federation.
“Under this partnership Irish Aid is strengthening and deepening our strategic relationship with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Irish Aid will provide €6 million over two years to the International Federation, one of our most important partners in responding to humanitarian crises,” said Minister Kitt.
Irish Aid’s support will focus on the work of the Red Cross in the sometimes neglected West and Central Africa region – countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia, Chad and Niger. Part of the funding will also be directed to the International Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund, a funding pool available for immediate access by national Red Cross and Crescent Societies in responding to emergencies. In addition, a new element of this agreement is funding of the overseas work of the Irish Red Cross.
“I am not only delighted but also honoured by the unfailing and increasing support and trust in the work of the International Federation displayed by Irish Aid,” noted International Federation Secretary General Markku Niskala. “This is the third renewal of our agreement since 2002 but Irish Aid has also consistently contributed to many appeals for more than a decade. These funds give the Federation considerable additional resources to fulfil its mandate of alleviating human suffering, both in emergency situations and in long-term crises, in particular in West and Central Africa. We have found a true and staunch humanitarian partner in Irish Aid.”
“I am also particularly pleased that a part of this funding will support the expanded international operations of the Irish Red Cross. Their staff and volunteers live out and express our humanitarian ideals, every day, to the fullest, whether at home or abroad and I salute them,” he added.
Ms. Jennifer Bulbulia, Honorary Secretary, Irish Red Cross said she was proud of the work of the Irish Red Cross and was aware that those in Africa can actually see the difference made in terms of food, shelter, sanitation, medicines and, equally important, the establishment of programmes that help people rebuild their lives and their communities.
Note to editors:
Under the 2008/2009 partnership agreement, the €6 million funding provided by Irish Aid will be disbursed as follows:
- West and Central Africa region – core budget support, capacity
building of national societies and disaster preparedness
projects €3.3 million
- Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) €2
million
- Irish Red Cross €0.6
million
- Publication of World Disasters Report – 2008 and 2009 €0.1
million
Irish Aid support to the International Federation is not confined to the terms of the partnership agreement. Irish Aid also frequently chooses the International Federation as a partner of choice in responding to sudden onset emergencies. In 2007, Irish Aid disbursed an additional €2 million through the International Federation in responding to humanitarian crisis Mozambique, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Uganda, Vietnam and Mexico.
Since 2005, the Irish Red Cross, with funding from Irish Aid and the Irish public, has supported projects in Africa providing humanitarian assistance in Niger, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Chad, Sudan, Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia and Uganda.
To coincide with the official launch of the new partnership, the exhibition ‘The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Irish Aid: Working Together for Humanity’ will run at the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre in Dublin from 14 to 22 April.
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Press
17/4/08
