Letters to the Editor: Overseas aid budget not enough to meet escalating humanitarian needs

One reader says the €776.5m announced for overseas aid is insufficient, while another argues that the budget demonstrates Government ambivalence towards its climate commitments  

In the context of humanitarian needs €776.5m 'does not go far enough'. Picture: Samar Hazboun/ActionAid

Any increase in official development aid has to be welcomed. But the €776.5m announced in this week’s budget for overseas aid — in the context of escalating humanitarian needs — does not go far enough.

What we give in our overseas aid budget is our statement of solidarity and commitment as a country to ending poverty globally, and to supporting human rights, particularly women’s rights.