Sir, – As we approach our second Covid Christmas, it is important to remember that, if it is tough in Ireland, it has become almost unbearable in many parts of the world. And it’s not just because of the pandemic.
The combination of Covid, climate change, conflict and the rising cost of food is driving millions of people to desperation. Famine, which we thought was consigned to history, is back with a vengeance and 43 million people are now on the brink of starvation.
The world is off track and millions of people have no access to vaccines, food, shelter, protection.
However, and it’s a big however, the compassion and generosity of the Irish people remains undented and ever more vital. In the 53 years since Concern was formed as a response to the Biafra famine, the public continues to be our biggest supporter. And it is a strong network of giving that allows us to respond to global crisis, keep children in school, and scale up nutrition services to mothers and young children, roll out vaccines to hundreds of thousands of frontline health workers and so much more.
What has always mattered is that you are there when things are tough.
The Afghan women who work with Concern expressed this best to me on a call when returning to work after the Taliban regained power in their country: “We know the challenges but we are professional humanitarians and this is our job. We are the link between Concern and the women in the community. We will do what we have to, we just need support.”
And my message to them and to every one of the 4,780 Concern staff who all work in remote or insecure parts of the world, is simply this: the Irish public have your back, they are not going anywhere, and neither are we.
Thank you. – Yours, etc,
DOMINIC MacSORLEY,
Chief Executive,
Concern Worldwide,
Dublin 2.