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IRELAND IS TO give Somalia €3 million in live-saving assistance as the conflict-torn and hunger-afflicted country faces another humanitarian crisis.
The funding, which will provide food, shelter and other vital assistance, was announced by the Tánaiste during a visit to the capital Mogadishu today.
Eamon Gilmore’s trip coincides with the one-year anniversary of the official declaration of famine by the United Nations.
“Somalia is one of the poorest and most insecure environments in the world,” the Labour party leader said today. “Our ongoing assistance is saving lives every day.”
He added that the monetary help will be used by the UN and non-government organisations to scale up their operations so they can reach more Somalis whose lives are in danger as a result of war and starvation.
“While progress has been made over the past year since famine was declared the gains are now at grave risk of being reversed by yet another poor rainy season and a late harvest,” continued Gilmore. “Those who will be hardest hit over the coming months are the 1.4 million Somalies who have been displaced by drought and conflict.
They are now balancing on a knife-edge , dependent on a good harvest to keep food prices low and to remain alive.
Over the past five years, Irish Aid has provided €30 million in emergency and long-term development funding to aid agencies operating in Somalia.
Gilmore is the first Irish Minister to travel to Somalia in more than twenty years but he recalled what was described as the “historic visit” of President Mary Robinson in 1992. “Sadly, decades of conflict and famine mean that millions of Somalis continue to face untold hardship, hunger and suffering with many relying on international assistance just to stay alive.”
During his time, he visited feeding centres at camps for displaced citizens and a primary school which was rebuilt with Irish Aid support after it was destroyed during the civil war.
Ireland intends to play a leading role in raising global humanitarian issues during the EU Presidency next year.
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Funny how it’s a Deloitte report. A company and industry that has a history of putting young graduates under enormous pressure for little pay and long hours.
That’s what consulting is… And the pay is anything but low. It’s one of the best starting salaries for graduates. The base is average but most double that or more with overtime.
Someone I know recently left public service management for consulting because they hit the public pay ceiling and it didn’t meet their lifestyle aspirations. We all warned them over and over what they were getting into and that the pay wasn’t for nothing… A few months later burned out. The nice house and garden they wanted to raise their kids but no time to do it.
I worked for one of these firms. Not in consulting but I know for a fact overtime was not paid but was taken as time off in lieu. Trying to actually take that time off was a serious effort. Also overtime had to be approved by management and rarely was. You’d still have to stay til 9pm to finish a report though.
Reminded of mindfulness in the latest Simpsons last week: “Welcome to computer coding class, which, uh, replaces our last fad– mindfulness. Did anyone ever figure out what that was?”
Ah, Mindfulness. Prozac for the soul, I’d say? Still, nothing wrong with that if it works for you. My only concern is that Mindfulness, which is essentially using Buddhist meditation techniques in ordinary everyday situations is now becoming something of a commercial industry?
Reminds me of when Tony Quinn offered courses in ‘Educo Mind Power’ or something like that, in the Bahamas at reasonably extortionate rates!
I was being mindful there a few minutes ago, I was really focused on my feet and how connected I was to the earth and wider world. I came to the realisation that, even though it’s a cold Wednesday in January, I’m actually ok, I feel ok, I can control my own destiny and feelings, it made me feel so much more content in myself, I was only interrupted when it was my turn to sign, but I’ll definitely being doing more later on.
Joanne O’Malley works for Mindfulness at Work who offer training courses for businesses.
Enough said, someone peddling happy clappy
It’s like a new religion now
A lot of people are suffering silently at work, afraid to admit soaring levels of ‘overwhelm’ and ‘anxiety’. Many businesses want to help their employees function more optimally but do not know where to start. Mindfulness is a practical solution which teaches people to train their attention so that they are more skilled (calm, resilient, positive) at managing themselves and the demanding context creating a workplace where people and businesses thrive.
What businesses said no when you asked if they would like to help their employees function more optimally, as a matter of interest?
No pay rise this year plebs…instead you get an adult colouring book and a visit from a z list celeb speaker telling us how we can all look at the stars even though we’re in the gutter etc.
Using mindfulness to help your business is evil, pure and simple.
“Treat everyone with respect, gratitude, trust, compassion and integrity.”
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