A statement from our Chief Executive

A statement from Habitat for Humanity Ireland's Chief Executive, Jenny Williams, regarding the UK government's decision to cut Official Development Assistance (ODA).

"We understand the need, in response to growing global uncertainty, to review spending on security. This should not come at the expense of the UK’s commitment to support the most vulnerable global communities.

The Labour government made a manifesto commitment to return to spending 0.7% of GNI on aid – which it said aims to ‘save lives and support the most vulnerable, whilst tackling key global challenges such as climate change, conflict and epidemics.’

The decision to cut aid spending to to 0.3% by 2027 is especially cruel given that the growing global uncertainty exacerbates the challenges facing the world’s poorest people. For example the growing global housing crisis means that 2.8 billion people do not have an affordable place to live.

Habitat for Humanity Ireland calls on the UK Government to reconsider this decision and reaffirm its commitment to global solidarity. Working across the island of Ireland we call on the Irish government to encourage the EU and its member states to continue to fund programmes which tackle crises and long-term development programmes. We urge policymakers, stakeholders, and civil society to work together in support of policies that prioritise the well-being of all communities, especially those who are most vulnerable.

Habitat continues to work locally and in 70 countries around the world, driven by the belief that everyone, everywhere should have a safe place to call home."