Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 7 May 2014

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade

Role and Functions of Christian Aid Ireland

3:20 pm

Mr. Sorley McCaughey:

Finally, I will respond to Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan on whether the departure of other NGOs from the region is of concern to us. At one level, there is strength in numbers and there always is something to be gained and benefitted from by having other NGOs there. That said, we work through partners and consequently, we work with a very broad spectrum and rich group of civil society in Angola. We do not experience a sense of isolation or of being alone in it. I do not know the reasons many of the other NGOs pulled out of it but being in Angola is entirely consistent with our theory of change and where we believe we should be operating if we really are to effect change and to address issues of inequality and poverty. Angola fits that particular profile as well.