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This year’s Trócaire Box tells the story of one Somali family who are struggling to survive after they were forced to flee their home
Nelson (10) and Lía (7) pictured at the launch of Trócaire's annual Lenten appeal as the charity marks their 50th Anniversary this year. Photo: Mark Stedman
Trόcaire today (Tuesday Feb 21st) marked its 50th anniversary with the launch of its annual Lenten Appeal which this year will support the millions of people in hunger crisis in Somalia.
Established in 1973 by the Irish Bishops, Trόcaire has changed the lives of tens of millions of people around the world over the past five decades. Its annual Lenten appeal sees the iconic Trócaire Box displayed in hundreds of thousands of schools, churches, and homes all over the country in the build up to Easter.
Posters from Trócaire’s first Lenten Campaign in March 1973 boldly asked the question on behalf of the world’s poor: ‘Where is my share?’. That question is still asked today, and Trócaire’s work with partners and communities continues to make lasting change.
Trócaire CEO, Caoimhe de Barra, said today that the agency’s history is owned by people in Ireland who together for 50 years have devoted unyielding solidarity to those who are suffering in our world.
“It is also owned by our brave partner organisations overseas, who work every day to better their own communities. But most importantly, it is owned by the people who benefit from our work and who have hope for a better future in their joined humanity with Irish people.”
Trócaire’s 50th Lenten appeal is focusing on Somalia, where repeated failed rains have led to nearly eight million people – almost half of Somalia’s population – struggling to find food. “Millions of people are facing the prospect of starving to death. Thousands have already died. This is a shocking scandal,” said Caoimhe de Barra.
Lía (7) from Guatemala talking with volunteer Patricia from Monasterevin, Co Kildare as Lia’s mother, Trócaire staff member Blanca Blanco plays with Kiki (3) from Nigeria at the launch of Trócaire's annual Lenten appeal as the charity marks their 50th Anniversary this year. PHOTO: Mark Stedman
She thanked the people of Ireland for their support and continuing generosity.
“Since Trόcaire was set up half a century ago, Irish people have been unstinting in their support of the work we do and the difference that support has made cannot be underestimated. The number of lives not just changed but saved is huge.”
“We work in countries that are most at risk of conflict, climate change and poverty, and the work we do is as important now as it was when Trόcaire was set up. We will continue to support and work with those who are most vulnerable both to develop long-term solutions to the challenges they face and in times of crisis.”
Ms de Barra said the terrible events recently in Syria and Turkey show just how vital humanitarian organisations are when disaster strikes. “As part of the second largest aid network in the world, Caritas Internationalis, we are able to respond on the ground through our partners very quickly in emergency situations,” Caoimhe de Barra said.
Ryan (10), Conall (8) and Freya (4) join dad Oisin, a Trόcaire Ambassador, to launch the 2023 Lenten Appeal in this Trόcaire’s 50th Anniversary year. Photo: Justin Kernoghan
This year’s Lent Appeal
The iconic Trócaire Box is synonymous with the agencies annual Lenten appeal and has been a feature in people’s homes over the past 50 years.
This year’s Trócaire Box tells the story of one Somali family who are struggling to survive. Ambiyo, her husband Mahat, and their eight young children are among hundreds of thousands of Somalis forced to flee their homes due to a fifth consecutive year of drought which has ravaged the country.
After their crops failed and the last of their goats died their only option was to leave or stay and face starvation and death. After walking for three days, they arrived at a camp for displaced people in Gedo in southern Somalia with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Ambiyo was pregnant when she arrived at the camp and when she was giving birth she experienced serious complications. She was taken to the nearby health centre run by Trόcaire where she and the baby received life-saving treatment.
Trócaire runs all of the health services in the Gedo district of Somalia supporting more than 220,000 people a year. It is fondly known local as “the Mother of Gedo”. In recent months the number of young children presenting with malnutrition has trebled, and there is growing pressure on the services.
“Our work in Somalia and other countries around the world is absolutely vital and I would ask people to support the Lenten Appeal in this 50th anniversary year so that we can continue supporting Ambiyo and millions of others like her,” says Paul Healy, Country Director for Somalia.
About Trócaire:
Trócaire was established by the Irish bishops 50 years ago. Together, it aims to bring about lasting and positive change for a just world, working with local partners in the most at-risk communities, and with people in Ireland, to tackle the underlying causes of poverty and injustice – and respond to the crisis they create.
Trócaire works in partnership with a range of organisations and communities to bring about change. This change is sought at individual, community, societal and institutional levels.
Overseas, Trócaire works in four key areas:
In Ireland, Trocaire works to mobilise people to achieve social justice, working with a dedicated and wide-ranging volunteer network. It delivers a strong development education programme in schools.
Last year, Trócaire supported 1.8 million people in 24 countries around the world last year. This included supporting:
