Nation’s aid efforts praised

IRISH efforts at reducing hunger in the world were praised by Sheila Sisulu, deputy executive director of the World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest humanitarian organisation.

Ms Sisulu commended the Irish public and the Government for sticking to the target of increasing development aid to 0.7% of national wealth by 2012. “If other governments would follow the example of the leadership by the Irish Government we and the hungry children of the world would sleep easy,” she said.

She also noted Ireland was a strong contributor to the World Food Programme of “untied” cash — aid that does not come with conditions, such as requiring the money be spent on Irish products.