Restoring Irish Overseas Aid Expenditure for a more Just and Stable World: TRÓCAIRE SUBMISSION FOR BUDGET 2020 - Trocaire
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Restoring Irish Overseas Aid Expenditure for a more Just and Stable World: TRÓCAIRE SUBMISSION FOR BUDGET 2020
2 | Trócaire Submission for Budget 2020
SUBMISSION FOR
BUDGET 2020 SUMMARY
Trócaire welcomed the publication of the Government’s new policy on
international development co-operation, “A Better World” in February 2019 which
recommitted Ireland to reach 0.7% of GNI as official development assistance
(ODA) by 2030 and focuses Ireland’s aid programme on four main areas -
gender equality, reducing humanitarian need, climate action and strengthening
governance.1
The €110m increase in ODA pressure on land and water,
in Budget 2019,2 an allocated causing conflict and displacement.
€817m in overseas aid, which Trócaire’s largest humanitarian
is approximately equivalent to programmes have been in regions
0.39 per cent of GNI* was vital, where conflict and displacement
particularly in the context of have been normalised, such as
extremely high humanitarian the Middle East, South Sudan and
Despite global needs globally, and gaps in
financing for the realisation of
Myanmar. Humanitarian needs will
remain at exceptionally high levels
development gains in the UN Sustainable Development in Syria, the Democratic Republic
recent years, in 2019, Goals (SDGs). While recognising
the potential constraints that
of the Congo, Ethiopia, Yemen and
South Sudan in the coming years.
nearly 132 million Ireland faces, particularly in light
of uncertainty regarding Brexit, Natural disasters and climate
people in 42 countries Trócaire urges the Government change are also having a
around the world will to honour its commitment to the devastating impact.3 In Southern
most vulnerable in our world and Africa, people are still picking
still need humanitarian to provide an additional €144m up the pieces from Cyclone Idai
assistance, including in ODA in Budget 2020 to bring earlier this year. The cyclone
Ireland a step closer to reaching compounded the effects of
protection. its historic commitment to the persistent drought in the region
UN target of 0.7% GNI. and food aid needs in the region
will remain exceptionally high
Rising humanitarian needs through to 2020 as a result.
Zimbabwe declared its “worst
exacerbated by conflict and
ever” hunger crisis with an
climate change estimated 5.5 million people in
Despite global development gains the rural areas experiencing food
in recent years, in 2019, nearly insecurity, of whom over 3 million
132 million people in 42 countries people – or 38% of the rural
around the world will still need population – are projected to be
humanitarian assistance, including in need of urgent humanitarian
Cover photo: protection. Conflict and political support between the period
Maji Hka Ra (53) and her family fled instability remains the main driver October to December 2019.4 In
the fighting in Myanmar’s Kachin state
and are living in Lana Zup Ja camp for of humanitarian needs. The impact the context of severe droughts
displaced people. She has received basic of climate change is both a cause affecting Eastern Africa, an
assistance such as rice from Trócaire’s estimated 11.4 million people
and a compounding factor in many
local partner KMSS to feed her family.
(Photo: Gyung Dau) conflicts. It leads to increased require urgent food assistance
Trócaire Submission for Budget 2020 | 3
According to recently published OECD figures, ODA to the least-
developed countries fell by 3% between 2017 and 2018, aid to Africa fell
by 4%, and humanitarian aid fell by 8%.
in Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, the organisation’s head, Angel crisis is due to a combination of
and Uganda.5 After decades of Gurría, as a “worrying picture” of more protracted and longer-lasting
declining levels of food insecurity stagnating public aid that showed humanitarian crises globally, and
across the globe, hunger began that “donor countries are not living the emergence of more self-
to increase again in 2015. More up to their 2015 pledge to ramp interested policies in several
than 821 million people suffered up development finance.”7 Whilst wealthy countries. In the context
from hunger worldwide last year, it may seem that responding of a worrying trajectory among
according to a new United Nations to the scale of humanitarian some states towards nationalism
report - the third year in a row that needs is overwhelming, it is a and away from the values of
the number has risen.6 question of global priorities. By solidarity and peace, Ireland
comparison, the world’s total often stands out as a continued
According to recently published military expenditure has increased champion of multilateralism and
OECD figures, ODA to the to €1.6 trillion. The cost of closing human rights, including the right
least-developed countries fell the humanitarian funding gap of people and organisations to
by 3% between 2017 and 2018, and providing people with basic mobilise peacefully and speak out
aid to Africa fell by 4%, and support is the equivalent of against injustice.
humanitarian aid fell by 8%. approximately 1% of this military
This trend was described by expenditure.8 The current funding
Milka Irungu, Trócaire’s Emergency Programme Coordinator, helps to register people for assistance at our centre in Somalia.
(Photo: Allan Gichigi)
4 | Trócaire Submission for Budget 2020
IRISH SUPPORT
FOR ODA
Recent EU surveys suggest there is huge support from the Irish public for
international aid, with 93% believing that helping people in developing countries
is important.
The Irish people have continually review of Irish Aid in March 2018
Ireland, through and generously supported Trócaire
throughout our history and we
in the context of the development
of Ireland’s “A Better World”
Irish Aid, is rightly believe it is right that Government policy. The positive reputation
considered a world policy should continue to build
on and reflect this feeling of
of the Irish Aid programme and
its high quality was a recurring
leader in terms of the compassion towards the world’s theme in discussions with, and
submissions from, stakeholders.
quality and impact most vulnerable people. Ireland,
through Irish Aid, is rightly Committee Members,
of our overseas considered a world leader in overwhelmingly endorsed that
positive reputation and urged
assistance. terms of the quality and impact
of our overseas assistance. that the focus on quality, untied
Ireland has also been a notable aid, directed to addressing
leader in resisting the worrying the needs of the poorest and
international trend of diverting most vulnerable people and
development assistance funding communities, would continue.
away from poverty reduction and
towards the security, commercial The Committee took the view
and migration objectives of donor that a commitment to achieving
countries.9 ODA expenditure of 0.7% of GNI
by 2030 is critical to the future
Pharmacist Essam Abed Rabo in the
Caritas Jerusalem clinic in Nuseirat The Joint Committee on Foreign of international development.
refugee camp in Gaza gives essential
Affairs and Trade, and Defence There was a strong cross party
medicines to a family to treat intestinal
worms. (Photo: Mark Steadman / Trócaire) had concluded a comprehensive endorsement on the importanceTrócaire Submission for Budget 2020 | 5
Financing for both mitigation and adaptation in developing countries
remains significantly underfunded and will have to be significantly scaled
up if the temperature limits and adaptation commitments set out in the
Paris Agreement are to be fulfilled.
of restoring Ireland’s ODA budget and environmentally sustainable international climate finance
with the Committee unanimously societies. commitments can result in finance
and unequivocally supporting being diverted away from pro-poor
calls for a multi- annual plan to Further to Ireland’s longstanding projects that have greater need
increase the aid budget on an reputation for effective for climate finance. Accounting
incremental, phased basis. The development policy, Irish Aid is methods are another means
Committee further proposed recognised internationally for used in many contexts to classify
that the Government submits having developed a high quality, existing or already committed
a clear, multi- annual plan to poverty-focused approach to finance flows as increases in
the Committee on Budgetary climate and development policy, climate finance without any
Oversight for consideration. with an additional and vital focus additional funds in practice on the
on gender. “A Better World” ground.
Ireland is actively campaigning recognises that arresting climate
to ensure success in its bid to change is the major global While much climate finance, in
secure a non-permanent United challenge of this generation, and particular adaptation finance, will
Nations Security Council seat for rightly highlights the importance be channelled via ODA structures,
the term 2021-2022. Ireland’s of a people-centred global climate finance obligations differ
future reputation and credibility response and a focus on the most from ODA in that they stem from
as a leader on international vulnerable. The commitment in Article 4.3 of the United Nations
development pivots on meeting the “A Better World” policy to Framework Convention on Climate
its 0.7% UN target for ODA, and advocate for greater allocations of Change (UNFCCC). This commits
by maintaining its commitment finance for grassroots adaptation donor countries to providing “new
to high quality and high impact are particularly welcome, as is and additional financial resources”
poverty reduction focused aid. The the reiteration of the policy of for the “full incremental costs”
next DAC Peer Review of Ireland’s one hundred percent of Ireland’s of addressing climate change, as
development co-operation is climate finance being untied and a result of their proportionately
taking place this year. The review grant-based. greater contribution to the causes
is an opportunity for Ireland to of climate change, and the greater
share its experience on poverty Financing for both mitigation and resources at their disposal to
reduction and humanitarian adaptation in developing countries respond to it. To consolidate and
donorship.10 remains significantly underfunded build on the positive aspects of
and will have to be significantly Ireland’s contributions to climate
Climate Finance will need to scaled up if the temperature limits finance, climate finance allocations
and adaptation commitments will need to increase, within and
increase within, and alongside
set out in the Paris Agreement alongside increases in overall
increases in overall ODA are to be fulfilled. Grant based ODA. Allocations should increase
Climate change and environmental and public finance are essential taking into account Ireland’s
degradation are at existential to ensure that the critical work capacity and responsibility in
threat levels. We are living in the to support those most affected terms of historical and current
sixth age of mass extinction.11 by the impacts and with least emissions. Climate finance should
The combination of species capacity to cope and adapt receive remain untied, grant-based and
decline and a warming world adequate and appropriate funding. focused on adaptation and the
means the Earth is careering These are in many cases unlikely most vulnerable, avoiding the risks
towards a catastrophic collapse to lend themselves to - or be of relying on private finance to
of ecosystems. Progress on all appropriate for – certain finance deliver and ensuring accounting is
other societal objectives hinges on instruments requiring financial guided by both transparency and
a stable climate and urgent action returns. Increasing emphasis on integrity.
to move towards low carbon private sector financing to meet6 | Trócaire Submission for Budget 2020
SUMMARY OF KEY PROPOSALS
FOR BUDGET 2020
Trócaire welcomes the commitments outlined by the Irish government in
“A Better World” which align closely with our work, and the work of our local
partner agencies around the world.
The key focus on strengthening for GNP, this would return the aid by 2025 in order to reach the
governance and women’s budget to pre-recession levels by Sustainable Development
empowerment, while tackling 2023, allowing coherent forward Goal targets by 2030.
climate change and humanitarian planning for aid recipients which
need, reflects the major would maximise the impact of 3. Budget 2020 should be used
challenges facing the world’s that aid.12 as a platform for developing
poorest people. this strategy towards fully
1. The Government should reaching the 0.7% target.
Budget 2019 allocated €817m submit a clear, multi- annual Specifically, for Budget 2020,
in overseas aid; an amount plan to the Committee on an increase in the ODA spend
approximately equivalent to Budgetary Oversight for by €144million would enable
0.39 per cent of GNI*. Trócaire consideration in line with Ireland to reach an estimated
strongly welcomed this €110m recommendations of the Joint interim 0.44% of GNI.*
increase in the ODA allocation in Committee on Foreign Affairs
Budget 2019. Given the historic and Trade. 4. To consolidate and build
commitment to reach the UN on the positive aspects of
target of 0.7% of GNP in 2000, 2. Given the scale of Ireland’s contributions to
the government should evidence global humanitarian and climate finance, climate
its renewed commitment to development needs, Trócaire finance allocations will need
this target by increasing the aid continues to urge a medium to increase, within and in
budget over the next 5 years. term strategy for sustaining addition to increases in
Table 1 (below) shows how the progress towards returning to overall ODA.
Government can reach this target 0.54% of GNI* by 2022 and
by 2025. Using GNI* as a proxy for the 0.7% target to be met
Table 1: Pathway to UN target of 0.70% of GNI* by 2025
GNI* % of GNI* to achieve Required budget for ODA Increase in Budget
Year
(€m) 0.7% target by 2025 in each year (€m) allocation for ODA (€m)
2019 207,600 0.39 817 -
2020 218,425 0.44 961 144
2021 227,650 0.49 1,115 154
2022 237,400 0.54 1,282 166
2023 247,750 0.60 1,487 205
2024 257,660 0.65 1,675 188
2025 267,966 0.70 1,876 201
Figures from Social Justice Ireland Budget Choices 2020 13Trócaire Submission for Budget 2020 | 7
Siblings Richard (17), Godfrey (14), Reagan Oketayot (12), Ivan Agnerwot (9), Prossy (7) and Ivan Onono (5). After their parents were killed
in South Sudan, the children fled to Uganda, where they are now living in a refugee camp. Trócaire is supporting refugees in northern
Uganda with trauma counselling, skills training so they can earn an income and with kitchen gardens so they can grow their own food.
(Photo: Mark Stedman / Trócaire)
With the support of the Irish
public, Irish Aid and other
Trócaire’s work at a glance 2018/19
institutional donors Trócaire’s
work improved the lives of 2.9 HUMAN RIGHTS
million people in some of the €5m spent – 207,000 people supported directly
poorest countries in the world in
2018/2019.14
RESOURCE RIGHTS
€19.3m spent – 496,000 people supported directly
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
€17.2m spent – 272,000 people supported directly
HUMANITARIAN
€24.8m spent – 1,900,000 people supported directly
ENDNOTES
1
https://www.trocaire.org/news/trocaire- 7
http://www.oecd.org/development/ 11
https://horizon-magazine.eu/article/sixth-
welcomes-new-aid-policy development-aid-drops-in-2018-especially- mass-extinction-could-destroy-life-we-
2
https://www.trocaire.org/news/trocaire- to-neediest-countries.htm know-it-biodiversity-expert.html
welcomes-overseas-aid-increase-ireland- 8
https://www.theguardian.com/global- 12
https://www.socialjustice.ie/sites/
moves-closer-delivering-its-long-held development/2019/jul/16/alarming- default/files/attach/publication/5860/
shortfall-foreign-aid-worlds-biggest- budgetchoices2020.pdf?cs=true
3
https://www.unocha.org/sites/unocha/
crises?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other 13
https://www.socialjustice.ie/content/
files/GHO2019.pdf
9
https://concordeurope.org/wpcontent/ publications/budget-choices-2020
4
https://reliefweb.int/report/zimbabwe/
uploads/2018/03/CONCORD_ 14
https://www.trocaire.org/sites/default/
government-un-launch-revised-
AidWatchPaper_Aid_Migration_2018_ files/trocaire_annual_report_2018-19.pdf
humanitarian-appeal
online.pdf?d65bd5&d65bd5
5
https://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/ 10
https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/
horn-africa-joint-call-action-major-regional- 941ec6f0-en/index.html?itemId=/content/
humanitarian-crisis-joint-position-paper component/5e331623-en&_csp_=b14d
6
http://www.fao.org/3/ca5162en/ca5162en. 4f60505d057b456dd1730d8fcea3&item
pdf IGO=oecd&itemContentType=chapter * GNI - Gross National IncomeTrócaire, Maynooth, Trócaire, 50 King Street, Belfast, Co. Kildare, Ireland BT1 6AD, Northern Ireland T: +353 (0)1 629 3333 T: +44 (0) 2890 808030 F: +353 (0)1 629 0661 F: +44 2890 808031 E: info@trocaire.org E: infoni@trocaire.org www.trocaire.org Northern Ireland Charity Number XR 10431 Charity Regulatory Authority No. 20009601; Revenue Number Chy 5883
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