Donegal minister, Charlie McConalogue, announced the allocation of €39,860,000 in funding for international development and humanitarian relief for 2024.
This marks the largest-ever annual contribution from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). The package includes an advance payment of €35 million for the UN World Food Programme (WFP) under a new €105 million partnership agreement for 2025-2027, representing a 40% increase over the previous Strategic Partnership Agreement. The funding package also includes €4.863 million for Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) programmes, comprising €2.8 million in discretionary funding and an annual assessed contribution of €2.063 million.
“Ireland’s unwavering commitment to addressing global hunger and food insecurity is reflected in this historic level of funding. By strengthening our partnership with the WFP, we are providing life-saving assistance and laying the foundation for sustainable food systems that can help achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger by 2030,” the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine commented.
Highlighting the urgent need for support in regions impacted by conflict, the Minister McConalogue continued: “The humanitarian crises in Sudan, Gaza, and other conflict zones have left millions of innocent people facing acute hunger. Ireland stands in solidarity with these communities, and our enhanced funding will enable the WFP to deliver critical assistance to those most in need.”
Reflecting on his March 2024 visit to the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya and WFP and FAO projects in South Sudan and Ethiopia, Minister McConalogue said: “Seeing first-hand the transformative impact of these initiatives reinforced the importance of Ireland’s contributions. Whether providing emergency relief or empowering farmers through sustainable practices, our support delivers real and lasting change.”
Minister McConalogue reiterated Ireland’s strategic commitment to global food security: “Our partnerships with the WFP and FAO are critical in addressing immediate crises while fostering long-term solutions to hunger and malnutrition.”
“This funding announcement demonstrates Ireland’s leadership in promoting sustainable development and humanitarian relief globally,” the Donegal minister added.
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