Taking pride in Irish aid workers

Sir, – We are at the end of what has been an extraordinarily challenging year, one when conflict, climate change, migration and ebola have all dominated the headlines. 2015 was a year when the world felt smaller, more interconnected and more insecure. A year when the number of refugees surpassed 60 million, when flooding, drought and earthquakes wreaked havoc and destruction across the poorest communities.

It was also year when the flame of humanity shone brightly, when acts of kindness, courage and compassion multiplied and rose to meet the challenges. It was a year when our work fighting ebola received special recognition by the EU, particularly our programme giving 16,500 victims of the horrific virus a decent, safe and dignified burial.

It was a year when I witnessed once again the extraordinary courage of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, many of whom are entering their fifth year of displacement and struggling to survive in overcrowded basements, half-built homes and garages. In desperation, young girls are marrying themselves off so there is one less mouth for their mothers to feed. Choices no one should have to make.

But we are there, providing families with support, protection, training, education and giving back control over their lives. As the harsh winter hits Lebanon, we are also providing extra shelter, materials and blankets to keep them warm and safe. And while it’s been a year of turmoil and change, the one constant throughout this year has been the continued generosity of the Irish people, who never fail to dig deep despite challenges at home.

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It is this support from every community across the county that enables us to respond to emergencies within 24 hours, stay on long after the television news cameras are gone, reach more remote villages, add extra classrooms, provide more wells and support more farmers struggling to feed their families.

I have travelled around the country meeting people who support our work. From those running church gate collections, second-hand clothes shops and baking cakes to signing up to make a donation, it’s humbling and inspiring to see the extraordinary commitment of people who have devoted their time and energy to support our work. I am proud of more than 3,000 Concern staff, who are working every day in 27 of the world’s poorest countries, making transformative and long-lasting changes. I’m proud to come from a country that continues to be more generous than other countries that can afford to give more.

Empathy and humanity are instinctive to us and that must always be treasured. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has and continues to support Concern. To all of you, I say thank you and I wish you a peaceful and happy new year. – Yours, etc,

DOMINIC MacSORLEY,

Chief Executive Officer,

Concern Worldwide,

Dublin 2.