Development News

Ghana makes history as the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate Trachoma

In June 2018, Ghana made history as the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate trachoma, as validated by the World Health Organisation. Sightsavers has been working in Ghana since 2000, when about 2.8 million people in the country were estimated to be at risk of trachoma. Trachoma is a Neglected Tropical Disease – anContinue reading “Ghana makes history as the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate Trachoma”

South Sudan – the world’s newest (and most fragile) state.

South Sudan came into existence in 2011, and already tops a UN table – the highest score in the Fragile States (formerly Failed States) Index. The area has been affected by warfare for all but 10 of the last 65 years; the new country descended into vicious ethnic and political civil war in 2013. The warContinue reading “South Sudan – the world’s newest (and most fragile) state.”

ElectricAid’s work in 2017 – and the Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world community’s call to action for a sustainable developed future for the planet. Amid the noise and posturing hubris of the “Trump times”, they chart a sane, challenging, but achievable path for a better future for the world and all its people. They deal in co-operation and collectiveContinue reading “ElectricAid’s work in 2017 – and the Sustainable Development Goals”

Building BEmONC in Sierra Leone.

BEmONC is one of those appalling acronyms in use in development. But it stands for something so vital and life-giving – Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care – addressing the huge and unacceptable risks to women and babies in childbirth in Sierra Leone. Our 2016 funding of €14,000 for Partners in Health, a long-standing andContinue reading “Building BEmONC in Sierra Leone.”

Support for Overseas Aid remains strong in Ireland.

Dóchas, the umbrella body for Overseas Development Aid, recently commissioned MRBI to sample attitudes in Ireland to ODA. The results confirm the Irish public’s strong and consistent support. We constantly over-estimate what the Government spends on ODA – and still think it should do much more. Thankfully, the “Trump” agenda does not appear to have impactedContinue reading “Support for Overseas Aid remains strong in Ireland.”