Charity shows its Concern for 23m of world's poorest

THE world can often feel like it is lurching from one devastating crisis to the next.

- BY DANNY DE VAAL

But amid the daily barrage of grim headlines, Irish aid agency Concern Worldwide has delivered a reminder of what individual human compassion and targeted action can still achieve.

According to its Annual Report, published today, it reached 23 million people across 27 of the world’s poorest nations last year.

Yet, a deep dive into the figures reveals a stark and challenging reality: the need for humanitarian help is surging, while global government funding is shrinking.

Concern's Chief Executive Officer Dominic Crowley painted a sobering picture of the evolving challenges his frontline teams face.

He highlighted that the environments where the charity operates are becoming increasingly fragile.

Geopolitical instability, a surge in armed conflicts and a shocking reduction in adherence to international humanitarian law are actively driving displacement, extreme poverty and starvation.

Despite this bleak backdrop, the report is fundamentally a story of endurance.

Mr Crowley pointed to ‘‘uplifting achievements’’ made possible by the ‘‘extraordinary dedication’’ of Concern’s workers and the unyielding generosity of ordinary donors.