Ms Caoimhe de Barra:

Trócaire decided, with great regret, to withdraw from Colombia. As Mr. Meehan noted, two years ago we commenced a process of reviewing our overseas structure. The review identified that, in light of the additional external and internal pressures on the agency, Trócaire could not sustain its work across 17 countries if it was to continue to be able to deliver impact, illustrate the delivery of impact and be accountable not only to beneficiaries but also donors and supporters. We recognise that we made a significant contribution in Colombia over many years and our local partners were keen to reinforce this work. These included Catholic Church and human rights partners as well as partners working in agriculture, all of whom would have preferred if we had been able to remain in the country. By and large, however, they understood that, as an agency with limited resources, Trócaire needed to focus its resources in areas where we could make the greatest difference. We retain an advocacy relationship with organisations in Colombia and continue to engage in advocacy at a European level through networks. However, we no longer programme directly, in other words, we are no longer involved in supporting service delivery on the ground in Colombia. Trócaire is strongly engaged in Central America on issues of human rights, disaster risk reduction, gender equality and reducing domestic violence and it is our intention to continue to work in Central America, including continuing our engagement in advocacy in Colombia for the foreseeable future.