The Government today revealed plans to pledge a total of €13m towards rebuilding Haiti after the devastating earthquake.

A recruitment drive was launched today for skilled volunteers who want to be deployed to humanitarian emergencies around the world.

SCHOOLS catering for children from Southill yesterday opened up new links with young students attending schools in Cape Town, South Africa.

A Government consignment of more than 80 tonnes of emergency humanitarian supplies has arrived in Haiti, Minister of State for Overseas Development Peter Power confirmed today.

TO those who know him best, Damien McSweeney has become known as Mr Multi-Tasker. Last week, the affable Cork man received a call that will test his skills to the full.

The Government is to make an additional €600,000 in funding available for emergency flood relief in Sudan.

The Government today pledged €2m to combat hunger in Africa.

The Government has pledged more than €1.3m in emergency funding to help alleviate the food crisis in Ethiopia.

Taxpayers today pledged more than half a million euro to the victims of the typhoon and earthquake in southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Charity chiefs today paid tribute to former Concern chief executive Fr Aengus Finucane, who has lost his battle with cancer.

Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power will begin a four-day visit around Tanzania today to see first hand how taxpayers’ money is being spent on projects in the African state.

The Government today pledged more than half a million euro in emergency funding to support people forced to flee their homes during the conflict in north-western Pakistan.

OVERSEAS aids agencies reacted with shock and horror at the €100 million cut in Ireland’s overseas aid budget announced by Brian Lenihan.

The Government today pledged to donate €2m in humanitarian aid to Gaza and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin said the cash injection will fund assistance, recovery and reconstruction in the conflict-hit region.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen is to address a United Nations summit for the first time as leader next month, it emerged today.

Third-level colleges are to get almost €5m funding to broaden research into overseas aid, it was revealed today.

TRIBUTES were yesterday paid to the Waterford toddler who drowned at a family barbecue on Saturday.

THREE primary school pupils who proved all that’s gold does not necessarily glitter have won the top prize in a national competition aimed at encouraging children to understand global inequality.

A new public information centre on Ireland’s overseas aid programme was today opened in Dublin by the Taoiseach.

An Irish priest left for dead by armed burglars will meet the Taoiseach next week in South Africa.

Third level institutes should do more to support international development, a leading academic claimed today.

THE Government yesterday pledged €500,000 towards the massive relief effort in cyclone-devastated Bangladesh.

OVERSEAS projects received €814 million from Irish Aid last year, it wasannounced yesterday.

Overseas projects received €814m from Irish Aid last year, it was announced today.

Three of Ireland’s largest humanitarian organisations were today awarded €500,000 each to respond quickly to global emergencies.

The Government has ploughed more than €5m into supporting the trade efforts of the world’s poorest countries, it was announced today.

COLOMBIAN cocaine traffickers are targeting Ireland in an effort to open up new supply routes into Europe, the United Nations' leading drugs expert has said.