Madam, – Recent reports indicated that Irish people are among the most charitable in the world (Home News, September 9th). A study from the UK’s Charities Aid Foundation, based on a survey in 153 countries, suggested Ireland was third in the world’s rankings for giving money and time to charitable purposes.
As chief executive of CBM Ireland – one of Ireland’s leading development organisations working on behalf of people with disabilties in the developing world – I am aware of the generosity and compassion of Irish people.
The financial support of our donors, complemented by funding from Irish Aid, has enabled CBM Ireland to provide health, education, and livelihood opportunities for people with disabilities who are among the most marginalised and excluded groups in the developing world. The effective targeting of Irish development aid in developing world countries has also helped to prevent avoidable disabilties created by malnutrition, poor sanitation and the absence of basic healthcare.
But much more needs to be done. It is estimated that 100 million people worldwide have impairments which are caused by malnutrition and poor sanitation. The World Health Organisation estimates that in Africa and Asia, 50 per cent of hearing impairment and 70 per cent of blindness is preventable or curable. In the absence of basic maternity care services, estimates suggest at least nine million women in the developing world suffer complications of pregnancy and childbirth that can result in lifelong pain, disability and socio-economic exclusion. The International Disability and Development Consortium estimates that 98 per cent of children with disabilities in developing countries are denied any formal education.
This is an important time of the year when a UN Review Summit of progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), is taking place in New York, September 20th-22nd, at which the Irish Government will be represented. At the same time, next year’s budget is being prepared by the Irish Government in very difficult economic circumstances.
It is critical that the political will to continue tackling chronic poverty, hunger and disability in the developing world remains strong, reflecting the will of the Irish public as expressed by the recent Ipsos MRBI poll. Over 80 per cent of respondents thought the Government should honour its promise to spend 0.7 per cent of GDP, or 70 cents in every 100 euros, on overseas aid by 2015 .
At a time of severe economic depression and hardship it is surely a matter of pride and national self-respect that the Irish people have remained constant in supporting starving, hungry, sick and marginalised people in much poorer parts of the world.
It is to be hoped the Government will reflect this when it represents us at the MDG Summit and in particular, as it goes about framing next year’s budget over the coming weeks. – Yours, etc,