Ireland contributed over \u20ac150m to the global response to COVID-19 in 2020, the newly published Irish Aid Annual Report has shown.<\/p>\n
Ireland’s total overseas development aid spend for 2020 was \u20ac867m. Included in this was an investment of over \u20ac150m to the global response to COVID-19. This spend supported partners to mitigate both the health and the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the launch of the 2020 Irish Aid Annual Report,\u00a0Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney T.D<\/strong>. said:<\/p>\n \u201cThroughout the global upheaval caused by COVID-19, Ireland has stepped-up to protect the most vulnerable. Ireland was one of the first countries to support the World Health Organisation\u2019s appeal to help low income countries cope with the pandemic. We quadrupled our contribution to the World Health Organisation, as well as increasing our support to other bodies supporting people in poorer countries.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe also supported Ministries of Health in our partner countries. Ireland\u2019s support obtained PPE, put in infection control measures, and established ICU facilities.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThroughout the pandemic, our vital development and humanitarian work has continued. Irish Aid funding has improved food production, increased incomes and supported education. When disaster strikes, Irish Aid is there to help people affected. Irish Aid is an expression of Irish people\u2019s values. Its work continues to change lives around the world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Minister for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy T.D.<\/strong>, said:<\/p>\n \u201cIreland believes in bringing its values of fairness and friendship to the world. Rarely was that more important than in 2020, a year when we all \u2013 as a global community \u2013 faced the same crisis.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cCOVID-19 is a health crisis, but it is also a development crisis. Irish Aid responded quickly to support health systems in our partner countries. We also stepped-up our support to help people cope with the wider impacts: supporting incomes, facilitating out-of-school learning, protecting women from violence.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIreland\u2019s aid programme saves and changes lives.\u00a0Irish Aid\u2019s vision is for a world where people are empowered to overcome poverty and fully realise their rights and potential. I am enormously proud that Ireland continues to invest in the programmes and systems to make this vision a reality.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Examples of Irish Aid support to assist communities during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic include:<\/p>\n