Trocaire

Budget announcement on ODA spending falls far short of what is required

At a time when global instability is escalating and poverty is increasing, the announcement in today’s budget of a marginal increase in official development assistance (ODA) spending falls short of what is required to meet the growing needs of people in some of the world’s most fragile countries.”

As other countries turn away from their obligations to international development and cooperation, it is welcome that the Government of Ireland has announced an increased allocation of €14 million in the budget today. However, in the face of devastating climate
impacts, protracted conflict and humanitarian crises we had hoped for a meaningful increase.

As converging crises intensify globally, with an estimated 239 million people in need and humanitarian disasters ongoing in Sudan and Gaza where Trócaire and our partners work, it is more important than ever that Ireland leads by example through adequate and principled Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations.

We need to see further leadership from Ireland in advancing on our international commitment to 0.7% on GNI by 2030. While others step away from their obligations, it is important for Ireland to deliver on meaningful progress on reaching our ODA commitments.

We call for a pathway to achieving our international obligation and for Government to use its position as President of the Council of the EU to support ODA at the scale that’s required from EU countries.

The fossil fuel industry is out of control and is at the heart of the climate crisis.

That's why we're releasing our brand new documentary very soon, 'End Fossil Power'💪

Motivated by greed, the fossil fuel industry and its lobbyists are pushing for further expansion, including here in Ireland.

Communities in the poorest parts of the world are bearing the brunt as climate related disasters hit.

Those who have done least to cause this crisis are losing their homes, livelihoods, and even their lives.

🎥This new documentary examines these realities while also looking at how a growing global movement is emerging to end fossil power, and transition to a world powered by clean renewable energy.

Stay tuned in the weeks and months ahead for where you can catch this not-to-be-missed documentary.

This is Ma Win's story, in Tanintharyi Region in southern Myanmar.*

Like many families in the area, her household depended on agriculture and plantation work for their livelihood. Following working overseas, she returned home and was able to rebuild her life through her agriculture plantation and live peacefully with her son and grandchild.

That stability was disrupted as conflict spread across Myanmar.

Through this project (funded by Myanmar Humanitarian Fund), Ma Win received emergency cash assistance for the first time. She used the assistance to purchase household items, emergency shelter materials and health-related necessities.

“I cried when I received the assistance,” she says. “I had never received such a large amount of support before."

Read Ma Win's full story at the link in comments ⬇️

*Ma Win's face has been blurred to protect her identity.

The last year has brought enormous challenges as conflict continued to devastate lives, climate change pushed more families into crisis and funding for international aid came under increasing pressure. This made it even harder for local organisations to help those most in need of support.

Despite this, Trócaire supported over 1.62 million people across countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East in 2025/26.

Our 2025/26 annual report, “Changemakers” tells the story of how Trócaire, together with our partners, supporters and donors, faced these challenges and stood with communities not just surviving, but working to build something better.

👉Read 'Changemakers' here: https://www.trocaire.org/documents/2025-26-trocaire-annual-report

A great day last weekend at the Wilton Parish Family Fun Day! It was fantastic to see so much energy at our Climate Justice stand and chat with so many people about our End Fossil Power campaign💪

A particular thanks to Fr. Michael O'Leary for his continued passionate support of social justice and Trócaire's work!