Irish aid agency Trócaire announces £2 million extra funding for ‘life-changing programme’ in South Sudan

(trocaire.org)

Irish aid agency Trócaire has announced £2 million in extra funding has been approved by the UK government to help a ‘vital life-changing programme’ in South Sudan.

The government had pledged to match public donations in Northern Ireland to Trócaire’s Lenten Appeal earlier this year up to a maximum of £2 million.

The appeal, which ran from February to May, highlighted the challenges faced by people in South Sudan who have had to flee their homes because of years of conflict.

Siobhan Hanley, Trócaire’s Head of Region in Northern Ireland, said the result was amazing.

She added: “We are absolutely overjoyed to get this news. Once again we asked the people of Northern Ireland to stand in solidarity with those in the developing world and, despite everything going on here in relation to Covid-19, the public stepped up to the plate.

"The government would only match public donations and so this result is purely down to those individuals, parishioners, clergy and school communities that supported the appeal.

“To achieve the maximum amount of matched funds is incredible. The appeal has actually raised £4,988,000 to date including £2,000,000 of match funding from the UK government. These donations are vital for funding for our work all over the world in some of the world’s poorest countries.

“The extra £2 million we will receive from the government will be used specifically in South Sudan where thousands of people don’t have access to enough food because of decades of conflict and displacement compounded by climate change and gender based violence. This funding will enable us to supply food and water, empower women, facilitate access to cultivated land and provide suitable crops and training on sustainable farming practices. This will help families to become self-sufficient without having to rely on aid.”

For more information about Trócaire go their website here^[1].

References

1. ^{^} here (www.trocaire.org)