Ireland must remain steadfast as the world turns its back on the poor

The need for Ireland to continue to raise its voice for the most marginalised around the world has never been more apparent, writes Jane Ann McKenna
Ireland must remain steadfast as the world turns its back on the poor

Displaced people squat on blankets and in hastily made tents in the village of Masteri in west Darfur, Sudan. Picture: AP

Ireland's recognition of Palestine as sovereign and independent state in May 2024 was an occasion of deep significance. Alongside Spain and Norway, we led the charge in calling for a just and lasting peace for the people of Palestine. 

This ignited a series of events that culminated in Britain, Australia, Canada and France announcing their support for an independent Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly. As An Tánaiste stated at the launch of Ireland’s bid for the Human Rights Council: "We take seriously the weight our voice carries on these matters." And our voice does carry weight.

At a time of ongoing global crises including starvation in Gaza, education bans on women and girls in Afghanistan, sexual violence in Darfur, rising sea levels in the Pacific and 800m people living in extreme poverty, the need for Ireland to continue to raise its voice for the most marginalised and oppressed around the world has never been more apparent.

More than 300m people are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection today, and a record 120m people are displaced. One in every five children in the world — approximately 400m — are living in or fleeing conflict zones. Global humanitarian needs have quadrupled since 2015, driven by new conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and Gaza. Added to these are protracted crises in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, and DR Congo, among others. This escalation of human suffering and need has been met with a retreat of support by the international community, with many international donors announcing cuts to their Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) spending over the coming years.

The dismantling of USAID earlier this year came on top of 14 out of the top 20 humanitarian donors cutting their aid in 2024, and resulted in the loss of $61bn in development and humanitarian assistance. Decades of progress in health and socio-economic development in low and middle-income countries is now under threat.

As funding shortfalls widen, humanitarian agencies increasingly face tough choices: reducing the scale of operations, pausing essential services, or cancelling programmes altogether. Disruptions to aid delivery have become a routine feature of humanitarian operations. The dismantling of humanitarian capacity and accountability threatens to leave millions without the support they urgently need to survive and recover with dignity.

These cuts are political decisions with real-world consequences for millions of people’s lives and wellbeing. Schools are being shut, education programmes are being scaled down, clinics are closing, and millions of people are being deprived of care, including HIV treatment and maternal healthcare. Food rations are way below minimum standards, exacerbating the threat of famine and child malnutrition.

For many international donors, backsliding on ODA is coupled with an increased focus on defence and military spending. Slashing aid budgets and increasing defence is a short-sighted and detrimental approach. Retreating on our ODA commitments will ultimately have a destabilising effect on the least developed countries around the world. As Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, stated recently in Dublin, aid equals stability. Cuts cost lives, and undermine our collective vision for a just, sustainable and equitable future, as set out in Agenda2030.

At the UNGA this week, An Tánaiste stated that we will continue to place values at the centre of our foreign policy. Overseas Development Aid is a crucial tool of Irish foreign policy. At a time when other countries are stepping back, we must step up. The role of development cooperation and humanitarian assistance as an expression of Ireland’s values on the global stage has never been more important. 

In this year’s budget we must ensure our values are matched by our commitments and our ability to deliver on them. That is why in Budget 2026 we must increase our overseas aid budget significantly, and make meaningful progress to achieving our commitment of 0.7% gross natiojnal income on ODA spent overseas by 2030.

We have a proud legacy of standing in solidarity with, and supporting, the most marginalised, oppressed and vulnerable around the world. During his address at UNGA this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin raised his voice in support of communities in Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine. He highlighted the need for development and leaving no-one behind. He echoed Ireland’s commitment to global peace and security.

Now is the time for us to step up as an international donor.

As in May 2024, we must now stand for what is right.

  • Jane-Ann McKenna is the CEO of Dóchas, the Irish Network of Humanitarian and Development Organisations

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