Gorta pledges €250,000 in response to Haiti Disaster
January 22nd 2010Tax efficient fund prioritises medical assistance
Gorta – The Freedom from Hunger Council of Ireland – has pledged €250,000 in response to the humanitarian disaster caused by the recent earthquake in Haiti.
“Whilst Gorta’s primary focus is directed at long term, sustainable food and water security programmes, and related educational, healthcare and livelihood initiatives, it is clear that people are shocked at the scale of the devastation that has occurred. Many have contacted our offices and charity shops regarding the situation in Haiti,” said Brian Hanratty, Gorta’s CEO.
To give effect to these concerns, Gorta is creating a €250,000 ‘Haiti Humanitarian Relief Fund’. This Fund can be highly tax effective for businesses and individuals donating €250 or more, making their generosity go even further.
Recognising that one of the first critical needs is emergency medical assistance, Gorta has initially partnered with the Irish Red Cross and has provided an immediate €50,000 to help alleviate the unprecedented human suffering and trauma.
“Gorta’s decision to partner with the Irish Red Cross is greatly appreciated. As part of the International Red Cross Movement, in the largest single country deployment in the Movement’s history, our focus is on emergency health assistance; providing water and deploying nineteen Emergency Response Units,” said Declan O’Sullivan, Acting Secretary General, Irish Red Cross.
Members of the public can contribute to the fund at Gorta offices and charity shops nationwide or at www.gorta.org.
“Consistent with the views of 
Dochas and the Minister for Overseas Aid Peter Power, T.D., Gorta advocates a co-ordinated and coherent relief effort on behalf of the Irish people and sees this partnership with the Irish Red Cross as a step in that direction,” concluded Hanratty.
Following the Tsunami on St Stephen’s Day 2004, Gorta worked directly with its major Indian partner in Tamil Nadu in restoring critical infrastructure; re-establishing livelihoods and assisting shoreline communities in relocating to safer housing locations.
ENDS.
For further information is available from Adrienne Dunne, Marketing and Communications Manager,
Office (01) 661-5522, Mobile: 087 786 2868, email: adrienne.dunne@gorta.org, web: www.gorta.org
Editors Notes
Tax Efficient Giving
Gorta can reclaim tax on all donations over €250 if made by a PAYE taxpayer. This can substantially increase the value of donations to Haiti by up to 70%, at no cost to the donor. We would urge donors to avail of this tax efficiency.
GORTA-The Freedom from Hunger Council of Ireland
gorta’s mission is to work for a world free from the injustices of chronic hunger, poverty and disease, having special regard for the plight of children and the empowerment of women. gorta establishes partnerships with local communities, and supports local leadership to ensure their needs are met in a sustainable way.
Programmes and projects supported by gorta are located predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa where the need is greatest. Their objective is to help people become self-sufficient in food production and income generation thereby creating a secure future for generations to come. gorta supports agricultural activities including livestock rearing, irrigation schemes and other water-based projects. The support of education, healthcare initiatives and income generating activities also forms part of gorta work.
gorta was the first overseas development organisation to be set up in Ireland. It was established by the Department of Agriculture in 1965 at the request of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and has since become an independent NGO. Since its inception, gorta has channelled the contributions of Irish people to over 2,000 projects in the developing world.
