People in Derry/Londonderry help raise over £226,000 for Trocaire

by Gráinne Connolly

Trócaire has thanked everyone in Derry/Londonderry who helped to raise over £226,000 for Trócaire's east Africa appeal. 

Their donations provided water, food and funds to 75,000 people in Somalia, South Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia

The appeal was launched this time last year, in response to the threat of famine in these four countries as a combination of drought and conflict left almost 25 million people facing severe food shortages. 

A national church collection, organised by the Bishops' Conference in support of Trócaire's work, was held on the weekend of July 22/23 and raised €5m for the emergency response. 

Contributions from parishioners in the Derry diocese raised £226,747 helping to provide vital aid, including: 

• Food support to 13,000 primary school children in Kenya.
   
• Rain water harvesting installed for 1,112 households.
   
• Clean water for 4,800 people in Ethiopia.
   
• Seeds and tools for 20,000 people in South Sudan.

Kevin Donnelly, Trócaire Regional Manager for Northern Ireland, thanked the Irish public for their compassionate generosity to last year’s campaign.

“This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of the national church collection held in support of Trócaire’s east Africa emergency appeal.

“The Derry public’s compassionate generosity has helped us to provide emergency food, livelihood support and water supplies to some of the most devastated areas in the region.

“On behalf of Trócaire, I would like to sincerely thank every parishioner who donated to this appeal.”