Press release
Irish Aid report shows highest investment to date in ODA programme
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin TD, has welcomed the Irish Aid annual report 2023 which details how Ireland responded to many of the world’s most pressing crises, including conflicts in the occupied Palestinian territory, Ukraine and Sudan, as well as underfunded emergencies in Syria, Yemen, and the Horn of Africa.
The annual report shows that Ireland invested record sums in Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2023. Ireland’s total ODA for 2023 was €2.6 billion. This figure includes money spent overseas, in over 100 countries across the world, as well as the eligible costs associated with providing services to Ukrainian refugees in their first year in Ireland. This figure is the highest ever amount, representing 0.67% of our GNI.
Excluding the costs relating to Ukrainian refugees, Ireland’s ODA amount in 2023 was €1.4 billion, or 0.38% of our GNI. This also represents a record allocation from Ireland to ODA.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD remarked:
“In the face of growing challenges posed by conflict, climate change and other global crises, Ireland’s ODA programme continues to focus its efforts to create a more equal, peaceful and sustainable world.
“This report highlights the extent of Ireland’s commitment to working with our international partners to tackle the issues that affect so many people’s lives. The work of Irish Aid touches the lives of people living in the most challenging places on Earth. Ireland’s humanitarian support offers a lifeline in places such as Sudan and Gaza, while our long-term development support continues to transform lives in places affected by poverty and climate change.”
At today’s launch of Ireland’s ODA 2023 Annual Report, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Sean Fleming TD remarked:
“This report details the impact of the work of Irish Aid around the world. From humanitarian disaster zones to places where people struggle to access food, education or healthcare, Ireland’s support makes a transformative difference to people’s lives.
“Ireland is swift to respond to global crises. Last year we were among the first donors to provide funding following the devastating earthquakes in Syria and Türkiye. In the wake of the floods in Libya and earthquake in Morocco, our partner organisations provided life-saving assistance.
“Ireland is a top donor to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, where millions of people have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict. We responded quickly and decisively to the conflict in Gaza, providing a package of support worth €20 million on behalf of the Irish people.
“The impact of the work of Irish Aid continues to be a source of immense pride.”
ENDS
Press Office
2 October 2024
Notes to editors:
• At the start of 2023, the UN estimated that 339 million people were in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance and protection. By the end of the year, an additional 30 million people were dependent on humanitarian assistance for their survival.
• Our ODA amount in 2023 was €1.467 billion, or 0.38% of our GNI (excluding the costs relating to Ukrainian refugees). This figure includes money spent overseas, in over 100 countries, as well as the eligible costs associated with providing services to Ukrainian refugees in their first year in Ireland. This figure is the highest ever amount, representing 0.67% of our GNI.
• Previous year’s highest ODA allocations were recorded as 2022 (€1.4bn), 2021 (€976m), 2008 (€921m), 2007 (€871m) and 2019 (€870m).
• The five countries which received the highest amounts of bilateral ODA support from Ireland in 2022 were: Ethiopia (€39m), occupied Palestinian territory (including support to the Palestinian people across the Middle East region) (€36m), Ukraine (€28m), Mozambique (€26m) and Tanzania (€25m).
• Irish Aid is a whole-of-Government programme managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Contributions to Ireland’s ODA are made from a range of Departments, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Finance, Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Department of Health, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
• The ODA Annual Report 2023 can be downloaded at the following link .