Foreign Affairs Committee to meet Dóchas to discuss its pre-Budget submission and the global food crisis in the Horn of Africa and West Africa

Dóchas, the Irish Association of Non-Governmental Development Organisations, has 57 full and associate members working in 104 countries around the world.

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House between 15:15-18:00.

The following representatives are due to appear before the Committee.

·        Jane Ann McKenna, CEO, Dóchas

·        Assalama Sidi, Oxfam Regional Director for West Africa

·        Colm Byrne, Humanitarian Manager, Oxfam Ireland

·        Paul O’Brien, CEO, Plan International Ireland

·        Mary Van Lieshout, Deputy CEO of Goal

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Charle Flanagan said: “The Committee welcomes this opportunity to engage with Dóchas to discuss its pre-Budget submission and to get their views on the impact of global food shortages on low-income countries and what financial commitment is needed in 2023 and the years ahead.”

“While much of the focus has been on the war in Ukraine in recent months, the impact of the war has extended to low-income countries with the disruption to food, fuel and fertilizer markets exacerbating an existing food crisis in the Horn of Africa and West Africa.”

“Dóchas held a briefing regarding famine in the Horn of Africa last week which was attended by Oireachtas colleagues. The startling figures from the Horn of Africa show that 23 million people are at risk of severe hunger, one person is dying from hunger every 48 seconds and 350,000 children are at risk of death in the coming months in Somalia alone.”

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.