Solidarity with Third World urged

The Government and the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, must put the international community under pressure to fulfil its obligations to nations like Rwanda, the development agency, Trócaire, has said.

Mr Justin Kilcullen, director of the agency, was speaking at the launch of the Trócaire Lenten Campaign which this year is focusing on the survivors of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

Mr Kilcullen said 189 world leaders attending a UN summit in September 2000 agreed to a number of measures to combat poverty in African countries.

The Millennium Development Goals include pledges to halve the number of people living in extreme poverty by 2015, slash child mortality, improve maternal health and halt the spread of HIV/AIDS.

However, he said, the international community is already reneging on its promises. "Things are already off the rails. Under current projections, Africa will not reach the millennium goals until 2147. If we break these promises, we will be sacrificing another generation to poverty, hunger, illiteracy and poor health."

Last year, Trócaire's income reached €46.5 more than half of which, €26.3 million, was donated by the public. Just over €12 million was donated during the 40 days of Lent. Some 1.2 million Trócaire boxes have been distributed throughout Ireland this Lent. The 2004 Lenten period will run from today until April 11th.

The child pictured on the box, Josienne (12) is one of the survivors of the Rwandan genocide when an estimated one million people perished in 100 days.

Funds raised by Trócaire during the 2003 Lenten Campaign were used to fund 510 projects in 55 countries worldwide. Some 91 cent out of every euro was spent directly on activities for the developing world.