An additional €23 million in additional funding for Irish-based aid development agencies has been announced by the Minister of State for Overseas Development Michael Kitt.
Under the terms of the agreements, the Government will provide funding over three years to support the development programmes of eight non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including AidLink, Children in Crossfire, Christian Blind Mission, Frontline, Plan Ireland, Progressio Ireland, Vita, VSO Ireland.
The funding announcement comes on the same day in which a number of development NGOs called for a rethink in the way that international aid is distributed.
At their annual general meeting this morning, the 37 members of Dóchas — the Irish Association of Non-Governmental Development Organisations — formally adopted a new Code of Corporate Governance to strengthen the professional standards for those working in the sector.
Spokesperson for the umbrella group, Hans Zomer, said that little was being done to prevent possible famines in developing nations.
"In many countries around the world, poor people are protesting as the continued rise in food prices means they simply cannot afford their daily meal. But despite the promises, no action is being taking to prevent this crisis. Aid donors tend to wait until situations of food shortage develop into full-fledged famine before they act," said Zomer.
Dóchas called on the Government to focus on the underlying problem of chronic poverty in developing nations, rather than simply offering emergency aid once difficulties arise.
