Concern welcomes government's announcement of €11 million for east Africa

Mr MacSorley said:

The need for this funding could not be more urgent. This is a critical and timely show of Ireland’s solidarity with the millions of people on the brink of starvation.With famine declared in South Sudan and similarly extreme food crises across Yemen, Somalia and Northern Nigeria, this is an exceptionally precarious moment in time, the greatest humanitarian crisis since the Second World War.

Starvation in the 21st century is always avoidable and it is an international disgrace that the situation has gotten to this point.

We welcome this additional funding, but it is imperative that Ireland continues to raise its voice to urge larger, wealthier nations to immediately release the $4 billion that is needed now to enable a full scale up of life saving relief efforts.

We must remember that the extreme food insecurity in each of these contexts has been brought about by conflict. It is the most vulnerable - children in particular - who are dying in countries such as Yemen right now because of the decisions of warring parties and the international community that has let this happen.

Ireland must continue to press the UN Security Council members and other influential nations to invest in substantive conflict prevention initiatives such as the new UN Secretary General’s call for a surge of diplomacy for peace.

The prevention of conflict is the most effective strategy to avoid the cycle of food insecurity and starvation that is horrifically evident this year in east Africa.

Concern Worldwide is running an ongoing appeal for those suffering from famine, drought and hunger in east Africa.

Anyone who would like to support their efforts is urged to donate at this link https://www.concern.net/donate or by calling 1850 211 844.

ENDS

For more information or to interview Concern CEO Dominic MacSorley, please contact Kevin Jenkinson at 086 358 2886 or by email: kevin.jenkinson@concern.net