Sean Farrell
Trócaire CEO
From supporting health systems in fragile regions to funding clean water systems and expanding access to education, Irish businesses are transforming communities and giving people the chance to live with dignity and hope.
As I return to Trócaire, an organisation where I’ve spent most of the past 25 years, now as CEO, I’m reminded each day of the extraordinary impact Irish companies and individuals continue to have around the world. We witness daily the lasting difference this generosity creates.
A time of growing need
This support has never been more important. Across the globe, governments are reducing their international development budgets at a time when humanitarian needs are reaching record levels. Recent reports show that up to 22 million people will die by 2030 because of drastic aid cuts, and 5 million of these will be children.
These reductions have the greatest impact on the world’s most vulnerable regions, where communities already face conflict, hunger, displacement and the growing effects of climate change. The gap between resources and need is widening rapidly.
Thanks to the generosity of one Irish donor, 5,000 families in two new camps for internally displaced people and one village will gain access to safe water.
Philanthropy in action
Somalia, where we’ve worked since 1992, is among the countries most affected by these cuts, including significant reductions in USAID funding. Yet this is also where Irish businesses are demonstrating what genuine partnership looks like. This isn’t about single donations, but about long-term collaboration based on solidarity and innovation.
Against this backdrop, companies like Aerogen, a Galway-based medtech company, continue to partner with us to help build a fully equipped hospital in Dollow, Somalia. Led by founder John Power, the project has significantly improved healthcare in one of the world’s most at-risk regions. The hospital now treats around 2,500 patients each month, providing essential care for mothers and malnourished children.
Aerogen staff worldwide also raised funds for new classrooms in Dollow, improving access to education for girls. Merlon Developments, another supporter of Trócaire based in Kildare, is supporting the project by helping deliver renewable energy solutions for the local hospital.
In Sudan, our Country Director, Mary Wamuyu, recently shared the impact of Irish support. Thanks to the generosity of one Irish donor, 5,000 families in two new camps for internally displaced people and one village will gain access to safe water. This is critical in a region where cholera has affected thousands of people and claimed many lives.
As I return to Trócaire, I do so with gratitude and determination. The generosity of Irish people, from business leaders to community fundraisers, continues to shine even in difficult times. Purpose-driven humanitarian support strengthens leadership, trust, employees and business resilience. Together, we can keep hope alive and ensure that Ireland’s compassion continues to change lives across the world.
