Your €85,000 makes a difference in Darfur

GENEROUS Irish Examiner readers have helped GOAL expand significantly its humanitarian operations in Darfur, Western Sudan.

Readers have contributed in excess of €85,000 since last Monday, when an Irish Examiner GOAL appeal was launched.

The €85,000 raised does not include any donations made in workplace collections held yesterday as part of Darfur Day, a joint initiative by the Irish Examiner and GOAL.

GOAL chief executive John O’Shea thanked those who contributed to the Irish Examiner appeal.

“The response to the appeal was astounding.

“This story has obviously had a huge impact on Irish people and they have shown how much they care. I have no doubt that your generosity has saved lives,” Mr O’Shea said.

“Irish people have always been quick to respond when they hear of people in trouble and they have not let the people of Darfur down this time.”

The GOAL team in Darfur is distributing 5,000 survival kits, which include poles and plastic sheeting to make shelters, in the non-government controlled areas.

GOAL has established three static primary healthcare clinics as well as eight mobile clinics that administer curative care, vaccinations, health education, environmental health, as well as antenatal and postnatal care.

The Sudanese authorities finally permitted GOAL to begin work in the Jebel Marra area of West Darfur in July.

“This week, the GOALies (GOAL volunteers) will expand the programme into another village, Daya, where a further 5,000 can receive the help they so badly require,” Mr O’Shea said.

“GOAL has been working in Darfur since January of this year. Although the first GOALies into the area were all experienced aid workers, they were shocked to the core by what they found.

“They drove for hours past burned-out houses and villages.

“The scene was one of utter devastation, the result of a well co-ordinated and ruthlessly carried out scorched earth campaign,” he said.

Last month GOALies inoculated 35,000 children against measles and polio with vaccines paid for by the Irish public.

If you haven’t already donated to the GOAL appeal you can do so at www.goal.ie, by credit card on 01 2809779, or by sending a cheque to: GOAL, PO Box 19, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.