Plan has distributed emergency food supplies to more than 50,000 people who have fled clashes between rival tribes in Jonglei state.

“The situation on the ground in South Sudan is severe. People have left their homes with nothing and, amid the chaos, some children have been abandoned and found wandering alone,” said David Dalton, CEO Plan Ireland. 

“People have no food, no access to clean water, no shelter and some are badly wounded. We must take action now as the number of displaced people continues to grow by the day and the conflict is expected to continue,” Dalton stated. 

Plan is one of the first international organisations to respond to the crisis in South Sudan, distributing cereals, beans and other food items to the homeless, mostly women and children. The organisation is preparing to deliver water and hygiene kits to thousands of households.

In partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), Plan is working towards scaling up life-saving emergency food needs in Jonglei State for thousands of people displaced in the inter ethnic fighting that has pitted the Lou Nuer tribe against the Murle ethnic group.

“Our plan is to scale up our response to provide badly needed food to affected people in Pibor and Waat counties over the next three months. Under this programme, Plan will distribute over 1,500 metric tons of food rations,” said Fikru Abebe, Plan’s Country Director for South Sudan.

The agency is trying to reach as many at-risk people as possible, especially children. Plan is responding to the emergency food needs of 4,500 children through a school feeding programme in Pibor and Akobo in Jonglei state.

“In addition to physical needs like water and food, providing psycho-social support for young people is a key requirement,” explained Mr Abebe. 

“We are also implementing programmes to keep children safe and help them continue their education during this time of upheaval.”

Upon the independence of the state of South Sudan in July 2011, it officially became the 50th developing country which Plan works in. There are currently over 800 Irish people sponsoring children in East Africa, including South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, through Plan Ireland.

Read more about Plan’s work in South Sudan. For more information about Plan Ireland’s work, please visit www.plan.ie or call 1800 829 829. 

We have long been managing the process of sharing letters between sponsors and their sponsored children right across the developing world, however, to date, this has been in traditional format only.

In response to queries from our sponsors about an online tool to email their messages, we have developed a modern, faster, easier and greener way for them to communicate.

Our new online Plan Postbox is now live and allows our sponsors to say 'hello' to their sponsored child today safely and securely, thus reducing postage, delivery costs and administration resources. It will also enable our sponsors to attach images to share with their sponsored child.

Visit our Plan Postbox today

Correspondence gives sponsors the chance to build a friendship, an opportunity to learn about a culture through the eyes of their sponsored child and their family and community and also allows them to share in their achievements, pastimes, education and much more. It also allows sponsors to see the difference that Plan, with their support, is making. 

Tips for writing to your Sponsored Child

Why not ask questions in your email? It may make it easier for your sponsored child to write back. You could ask about their school, their favourite subjects and games, their family or what they want to be when they grow up. They will also be keen to hear about your life, family and daily routines. Share what you feel comfortable with.

And remember, “a picture says a thousand words” so why not attach a photograph or image with your message and we will send on with your message as soon as possible.

Happy Emailing!

Geraldine joined the Plan Ireland Board in 2008 and has served both as a member of the Marketing and the Strategic Planning Committees.

She holds a Masters in Economics from University College Dublin.

Kelly manages her own consultancy business rXi Ventures. She has over 20 years of global business development experience in the technology, software and the energy-carbon sectors having worked on international business development for Thomson NETg; Visio Corporation and Adobe Frame.

We are also delighted that Jane Clare, founder of Plan Ireland and outgoing Chair, will remain on the Board.

View photos of Geraldine's recent trip to Ethiopia with Plan Ireland

*UPDATE* 31st January 2012: Yesterday, 30th January, the Sara G capsized. Whilst information is scarce at the moment the crew have managed to contact the shore. All crew are said to be safe and well, and tethered to the Sara G in a liferaft. Our last update was that a cargo ship was en route to pick up the crew with an ETA of 1am this morning. Further information will be provided once they have been picked up.

18 January 2012:  Plan supporter Aodhán Kelly (pictured right, in front) is currently rowing across the Atlantic Ocean in a world record attempt to raise funds and awareness for Plan’s global Because I am a Girl campaign.The 26-year-old Irishman, who lives in Reading, UK, is part of a 6-man team hoping to become the first rowing crew to cross the ocean by boat in less than 30 days.

Gruelling challenge

Already 2 weeks into their gruelling journey from the coast of Morocco to Barbados, former Irish national rowing team member Aodhán and the crew are tired, but in good spirits.

“But now she is fine about it and is very supportive. She is particularly happy because I am doing this for Plan International, a charity she used to volunteer for.”

Fighting gender inequality

Aodhán is hoping to raise thousands to support Plan’s Because I am a Girl campaign to promote girls’ rights, fight gender inequality and lift millions out of poverty.

Find out more about the challenge and follow Aodhán’s daily updates from the boat via his blog site*.

Join Plan’s Because I am a Girl campaign

About Aodhán

Aodhán is originally from Palmerstown in Dublin and moved to the UK in 2010. He studied at NUI Maynooth, undertaking a BA Economics and History followed by a Masters in History, which is what led Aodhán into academic publishing in his current job. 

Aodhán learned how to row and spent his whole rowing career in Neptune Rowing Club in Islandbridge which he joined in 1995 at the age of 10. Rowing was not in the family prior to Aodhán taking it up -  although his younger sister later followed in his footsteps and was very successful at junior level.

He has won several Irish National Championship titles for Neptune and also represented Ireland on a number of occasions including the Junior World Championships and Under 23 World Championships.

* Plan is not responsible for the content on external websites.

The severe flooding and devastation caused by the tropical storm on 16th December 2011 left more than 1,200 dead and affected nearly 118,000 families. Over 80,000 families who fled the floods are still homeless.

Overwhelming need

Plan Ireland is responding to the needs of families in the worst-affected parts of Iligan, Cagayan de Oro and Negros Oriental. We are aiming to reach nearly 150,000 affected people and have started distributing relief items including 10,000 hygiene kits, 10,000 water-purification kits, 15,000 mosquito nets and 20,000 traditional blankets.

“The need is overwhelming. We are working with local government, UN and other humanitarian actors to reach out to the most vulnerable groups," said Carin van der Hor, Plan’s country director in the Philippines.

Child focus response

Children continue to remain the main focus of Plan’s aid response. Plan has distributed and set up tents in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro for use as shelters and temporary learning spaces for children. These tents were provided as in-kind support from Irish Aid’s emergency stock warehouse in Malaysia and supplemented by funds from the Irish government’s emergency response funding scheme.

So far Plan has conducted 8 sessions with 537 children and 87 adults in Cagayan de Oro to address their emotional needs.

“Children living in displaced settings and separated from families are extremely vulnerable. Their health, protection, emotional care and education should be the main priority," said Dr Unni Krishnan, Plan’s disaster response policy coordinator.

Plan has been working in the Philippines since 1961 and runs a project along with UNICEF supporting children formerly associated with armed groups in parts of Mindanao. Even though Plan’s programme areas in Mindanao escaped the typhoon, Plan is responding to the overwhelming needs of thousands affected by the flood.

Plan is appealing to raise US$1,500,000 towards its initial response. Plan has so far mobilised nearly US$1,000,000 in confirmed and under-negotiation grants.

Find out more about Plan's work in the Philippines

12th January 2012: TWO years since the devastating earthquake in Haiti, progress has been steady, however commitments to children must still be honoured, says international children’s development children's charity Plan Ireland.

Plan’s ‘Haiti Two Years After: Successes, Challenges and Priorities’ report, launched today, highlights that in the past two years since the earthquake of 12th January 2010, nearly 1 million people have now left the temporary camps of Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince. In addition, almost half of all rubble - more than five million cubic metres - has been cleared, agricultural production has improved and spending by agencies on livelihoods has increased by some 30%.

Download 'Haiti Two Years After' report here

Speaking at the report launch today, Damien Queally, Programme Manager with Plan Ireland who spent a number of months in Haiti following the earthquake in 2010, said, “Huge strides have been made in Haiti in the last two years. Plan alone has vaccinated over 120,000 children, helped 138,000 children to return to school and reached over 400,000 people with cholera prevention interventions. Yet still, many children and young people still live in temporary camps and lack the most basic of resources and protection.

“In total, over 500,000 continue to live in camps and, in a country where half the nation’s population is under 18, it is this generation that continues to need our support. While progress has been made, challenges still remain. We must not allow this to become 2010’s forgotten crisis,” continued Mr. Queally.

International children’s charity Plan, who has worked in Haiti since 1973, was one of the first agencies to respond to the emergency in January 2010. Initially providing emergency response support through food distribution, water and shelter items and psycho-social support, Plan then shifted its focus towards cholera prevention. Over the past year, Plan has entered its third phase, concentrating on more long-term and sustainable community development.

“This long term support will be facilitated primarily through our child sponsorship programmes. Globally over 42,000 Haitian children are sponsored through Plan, with 190 sponsors here at home. These children and their communities are central to Haiti’s long-term recovery” continued Mr.Queally.

Sponsor a child in Haiti today

Plan’s ‘Haiti Two Years After’ report prioritises 3 key areas for Plan’s work in Haiti:

• Safe, quality education and opportunities for young people.
• Full social participation for Haitian girls, this includes campaigns targeting education, gender based violence, youth pregnancy and work rights.
• Birth registration, to enable young people to participate and benefit from services such as education, as well as helping to reduce child trafficking and tackle child abuse.

In the aftermath of the quake, Plan Ireland received donations of over €2.45m from donors including, Irish Aid, donations in kind, partners and public donations.

“The response was remarkable and continued to show Irish people’s generosity in times of need. Irish Aid alone has contributed almost €950,000 to Plan Ireland’s emergency response in Haiti since 2010,” Mr Queally continued.

“Plan believes that the Government of Haiti must fulfill its responsibility and take leadership on shelter, healthcare, education and economic growth. We remain optimistic that this can be achieved and we are committed to supporting the children and young people of Haiti to rebuild their lives.”

To sponsor a child in Haiti with Plan Ireland, or find out more information about Plan Ireland’s work, please visit www.plan.ie or call 1800 829 829.

ENDS

For more information contact Sarah Harte, Media & Communications Officer, Plan Ireland. Tel: 01 659 9601 / Mob: 087 985 8259. Email: sarah.harte@plan-international.org

Notes to the Editor:

• To download a copy of Plan’s report ‘Haiti Two Years After: Successes, Challenges and Priorities’ and access high resolution JPEGs visit: http://mediabank.plan-international.org/?c=6561&k=ff98e89dcd

• Plan has operated in Haiti for almost 40 years, since 1973, and currently has projects in the following areas: Beudet, Cayes-Jacmel, Croix-des-Bouquets, Dolney, Fort-Liberté, Frères, Jacmel, Lavallée, Ouanaminthe and Trou-du-Nord.

In the last 24 months, Plan has:

o Helped over 138,000 children return to school.
o Built 257 classrooms in Jacmel and Croix-des-Bouquets, as one of the first international NGOs to have plans for semi-permanent schools approved by the Government.
o Provided access to psychosocial support to over 14,000 people (12,000 being children).
o Provided work for over 36,000 people to strengthen the economic coping capacity of families.
o Provided over 22,000 people with tents and basic living provisions in the direct aftermath of the earthquake. Plan Haiti partnered with the Irish NGO Haven to provide 100 small wooden houses to mothers with young children who had lost their husbands during the earthquake.
o Reached more than 400,000 people in Plan’s emergency cholera response work.
o Vaccinated over 124,000 children for measles, diphtheria and tetanus.

• In total, Plan Ireland received €2.45 million for emergency response in Haiti from Irish Aid, donations in kind, partners and public donations.

• Irish Aid have contributed almost €950,000 to Plan Ireland’s emergency response, cholera, water and sanitation response in Haiti since 2010.

• On 6th June 2011, Haiti’s Institute of Social Well Being and Research (IBESR), the Ministry of Social Affairs, Plan Haiti and other international NGOs partnered to help President Michel Martelly and First Lady Sophia Martelly launch the National Week and Day of the Child. Street children stood up and sang a rap song for the Martellys.

In order to highlight the unique challenges and issues facing girls in many developing countries, Plan has led the call for this world day as part of its ‘Because I Am A Girl’ campaign.

Pictured right: Young school girls attend class at the Girls National School, Jacmel in Haiti

“By naming October 11th ‘Day of the Girl’ we are all agreeing to put a special focus on the rights of girls throughout the world. We know that in many countries girls get left behind in all areas of life from school to work and many are prevented from fulfilling their true potential by severe discrimination and prejudice”, said David Dalton, CEO of Plan Ireland.

Mr Dalton said Plan Ireland applauded the Canadian Government which sponsored the proposal at the UN. They became involved after Plan brought a delegation of girls and young women to the UN's Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, earlier this year.

More on the Because I am a Girl campaign

Plan Ireland has also been involved in lobbying the Irish Government, TDs and MEPs to gain their support of the proposal to institute an International Day of the Girl at the UN level.

Plan has played a critical role in lobbying at EU level through developing a Written Declaration in support of an International Day of the Girl. 393 MEPs, including 10 Irish MEPs, all from diverse political and geographical backgrounds signed the Declaration. This document has been recently approved, sending a powerful message on the importance of gender equality to European leaders and citizens.

The day will stand alongside other major international days, such as International Women’s Day (8th March), as a moment where advocates for the rights of girls can draw the world’s attention to their vital cause.

Many girls and young women globally have been calling for a day of recognition for some time. At the UN Commission on the Status of Women, Lil Shira, a young woman from Cameroon, said: “Girls are being neglected, marginalised, and discriminated in families and society. Most of the girls are ignorant about their rights. The ‘Day of the Girl’ will make girls feel respected, recognised and their contributions valued in society.”

Pictured left: Lil Shira at the UN Commission on the Status of Women

2011 Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee has been a long standing supporter of Plan’s Day of the Girl campaign. Gbowee said: “I think the international day of the girl child would be a great day for the issues of the girl child to be brought to light for media institutions, for government institutions, and for educational institutions to take the time to think: Girls are the future of the world and we definitely need a day dedicated to their issues.”

Research has shown that investing in girls and young women has a disproportionately beneficial effect in alleviating poverty - not only for girls but for their families, communities and entire countries. Girls who spend an extra year at school will on average increase their lifetime income by 10 to 20%.

David Dalton, CEO of Plan Ireland continued, “Women's empowerment begins with girls' empowerment. Breaking the cycle of gender discrimination requires that we promote and protect the rights of girls. At the same time we also need to equip them with the skills and opportunities they need to transform their lives and those of their communities.”

Research has shown that simply being born a girl can leave a child at a huge disadvantage in life. In the poorest societies a girl faces greater risk of malnutrition, hunger and disease compared to her brothers. She will have fewer opportunities for an education and career. In many developing countries 1 out of 7 girls marries before age 15.

For more information on Plan Ireland’s work and the Because I am a Girl campaign, visit www.plan.ie or call 1800 829 829.

Support the Because I am a Girl Fund

"We have heard that the wall of water was as high as 30 metres with one month’s worth of normal rain falling in the affected area within a 24 hour period," says David Dalton, CEO of Plan Ireland. "Most of the dead are children and women."

Pictured right: Father and son from Zamboanga Sibugay in Mindanao with relief aid received from Plan

"Plan runs a registration project for children engaged in armed conflict in parts of Mindanao, so our staff are trying to reach the young people we work with, as well as assessing damage in badly-affected areas."

Almost 35,000 people are in evacuation centres in the city of Cagayan de Oro alone. Although Plan’s programme areas in Mindanao have escaped the devastation, the organisation’s emergency team is rushing to the worst hit areas to formulate an aid response.
The Southern island of Mindanao is usually spared the worst of the Philippines' annual storms. Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities bore the brunt of the damage - with reports of whole communities swept out to sea.

Pictured left: Remains of house in village along the northern coastline of the island of Mindanao

"We have specialists on the ground in both cities. The scale of this disaster is unprecedented in this part of the Philippines, which is not accustomed to being hit by strong typhoons," says David Dalton.

"Survivors urgently need drinking water, food supplies and clothes. Plan is currently preparing to respond to the emergency and coordinating with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the National Disaster Committee. A damage and needs assessment survey has commenced to help the government and agencies like Plan respond to this disaster immediately,” added Dalton. 

For more information on Plan Ireland’s work visit www.plan.ie or call 1800 829 829.

Pictured right: A child accompanying his flock in the village of Sona Bella in Tillabéri in Niger. Green pastures are scarce due to the lack of rainfall and dryness ravaging the area.

The findings of the government of Niger’s national food vulnerability survey will be published at the end of this month but the country’s food deficit is expected to be more than 500,000 metric tons, approximately 14% of the annual consumption of the total population.  Around six million people in nearly 7,000 villages are thought likely to be affected.

According to David Dalton, CEO of Plan Ireland, “Many families in Niger are struggling to survive and children are being sent long distances away to work for money or food in order to supplement their family’s income. Because of this, they are missing out on their education and are also at risk of violence or abuse. At times of food insecurity, it is the most vulnerable groups in society such as children, whose health, education and protection are most in jeopardy.”

He continued, “Climate change and other environmental concerns are impacting on food production and exacerbating poverty in Niger but the focus often falls on emergency aid rather than on providing ongoing development support which in the long run would cost far less.”

In the Tillabéri region of Niger, rainfall has been extremely low and poorly distributed both in terms of geography and seasonality. The pastoral zones will produce almost no substantial fodder for the large herds of animals that normally migrate in the weeks and months to come. At times of crisis and great hardship, pastoralists are often forced to sell part of their flock in order to support their family.

Pictured left: The harvest was unsuccessful. The few ears of millet harvested will be used to feed the family and will be not enough to see them through the hard months ahead.

Plan's priorities in advance of the oncoming ‘hungry season’ will be to help build communities’ resilience through reinforcing existing livelihoods and to provide assistance to affected children and their families through school feeding and food distribution programmes. Other initiatives will focus on sustainable gardening and agriculture, drought resistant crop cultivation, grain banks, microfinance and nutritional centres for mothers and babies.

In a recent publication entitled ‘Escaping the Hunger Cycle: Pathways to Resilience in the Sahel’ which Plan along with other agencies working in the region was involved in, the conclusion was drawn that more effective early warning indicators and rapid response mechanisms are required in order to prevent the immense damage to livelihoods, and the loss of productive assets by vulnerable households when an acute food crisis occurs.

However, it is evident that these early warning systems are only valuable when governments, donors and agencies respond appropriately. In order to avoid a repeat of the slow response to the Horn of Africa, Plan is calling on all actors to heed these warnings. 

ENDS

For more information contact Sarah Harte, Media & Communications Officer, Plan Ireland at 087 9858259 or sarah.harte@plan-international.org 

Notes to the Editor

• Interviews with Plan staff are available upon request.
• High resolution images available here: http://mediabank.plan-international.org/?c=6361
• Plan responded to 39 disasters from July 2010 to June 2011. Since June, Plan has responded to the food crisis in South Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya; floods in Tanzania, Niger, Pakistan, India, China, Cambodia, Honduras, Guatemala, Philippines, El Salvador and Thailand; typhoons in the Philippines; displacement in Niger, Liberia, South Sudan, and in Darfur; and cholera in Cameroon.

The reality of the current situation is that people are still queuing for essential food rations and there are still starving children lying in therapeutic feeding centres.

Plan's Impact

Initially, the Plan supported emergency feeding centre in Tambora, about 350km south of Addis Ababa, supplied 4.5kg of famix, a high protein mix, and fortified vegetable oil to needy families every 15 days. This was then increased to 9kg per family which is to do them for 30 days – this means one less long walk to the feeding centre. Thanks to our supporter's generous donations, the centre was able to open four additional food distribution points which critically reduced the long walking distances for families. In Ethiopia, and indeed in most of East Africa, it is the mothers who typically walk to the food distribution points and carry the rations back to their children.

It was heartening to see the work and dedication of the medical staff who are looking after the severely malnourished children on a daily basis. The Tambora feeding centre we visited serves about 1,000 people per month at a total running cost of 40,000 Birr (roughly €1,500) per month. That's €1.50 per patient per month. The donations we have received to date are making a very real and substantial difference to the lives of many Ethiopian families.

Pictured left: Anne Farrell, S.U.R.F and David Dalton, CEO of Plan Ireland present cheque to Sr Celine at the Taza feeding centre

Uncertain times ahead

Although this feeding centre and other Plan supported food distribution points are very active and remain in demand by local communities, the situation at national level is not promising. Despite the very real fact that men, women and children are going hungry, and my recent experience is testimony to this, the government is reluctant to admit that there is a crisis.  Expenditure on food and nutrition related work is not welcomed. 

You see, the government is instead keen to push the story that Ethiopia is actually one of the economic success stories of Africa with economic growth in excess of 14%. There are certainly signs of economic growth if you were to base it on the number of new apartment blocks in the rapidly expanding capital Addis Ababa, improving road infrastructure around Addis and the evident external investment, most particularly from China and Turkey.

However, this belies the truth in a country that is 90% rural and in which life remains impossibly difficult.  Extended families of 10 to 12 people try to live off landholdings of an acre whilst inflation of 45% means their purchasing power is much reduced. There’s little access to electricity or water and there’s no support if agriculture fails them.

Our Commitment in Ethiopia

Plan has worked in Ethiopia since 1974. Our support for the women and children of Ethiopia remains steadfast.  We will support the running of a therapeutic feeding centre in Taza for the next six months where severely malnourished children are cared for.  We will also continue to provide food rations to the poorest families in the area.

As well as this immediate assistance, we are also planning to provide longer terms support including irrigation to negate the effects of drought and erratic rains and helping farming families with their future livelihoods, such as providing livestock to impoverished families.  These longer term projects will commence shortly.

Pictured right: Anne Farrell, S.U.R.F, pictured with children and young people from Shebedino district at a Plan supported solar water project which aims to improve health by increasing access to clean water.

The November harvest has been poor but at least some farming households will have short term access to food.  However the picture for early 2012 is already looking poor as these food stocks won’t last long. Plan Ethiopia staff will be monitoring the situation carefully in the coming months.

Thank you

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have so generously supported our crisis appeal. If you would like any further information on Plan's work in Ethiopia or our ongoing projects to end child poverty in any of the 50 developing countries we work in, please feel free to contact me on 01-659 9601 or by email david.dalton@plan-international.org.

Donate to Plan's East Africa Appeal

More photographs from recent visit to Ethiopia

With best wishes for Christmas.

Yours sincerely,

David Dalton
CEO

Plan, along with other international NGOs, has called on governments to ensure citizens and communities play their part in shaping the priorities of development programmes and in measuring their impact. There is concern that, whilst Civil Society Organisations are granted input into the wider global debate on development effectiveness at Busan, many are restricted in their freedom to operate and speak up for marginalised groups in their own countries.

The conference wants to see tougher standards on verifying the impact of development with independent input and for the groups targeted by aid to have a bigger say in the compilation of a country’s development priorities.

Non-governmental organisations have been allowed significant input at the High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness for the first time alongside governments and donors. Teams from Plan Australia, Japan, South Korea and Sweden were present at the meeting attended by world leaders like Hilary Clinton and UN Head Ban Ki-moon.

Plan is part of the Open Forum for Civil Society Development Effectiveness platform, which advocates that aid needs to address the root causes of poverty (such as discrimination, inequity, corruption, and power imbalance) and not just the symptoms like hunger, lack of education and jobs. It says that recognising human rights is an essential part of development and progress cannot be achieved without it.

There is widespread concern that commitments to a rights based approach are being watered down by many governments in their agreements with developing countries and that the arrival of new donors like Russia and China will increase this risk.

1st December 2011: A voodoo ceremony might seem like a strange occasion to distribute condoms but in Benin, the annual festival in January is an opportunity to direct attention on a massive scale to the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention.

In October 2010, Plan International was awarded an €11 million Global Fund grant to improve access to HIV treatment and increase awareness of prevention in the West African country.  Together with implementing agencies like Care and Caritas, and in partnership with the national Aids programme and the private sector, Plan is playing a leading role both in reducing the rate of infection and in supporting affected families.

(Pictured right: young girl in Couffo, South West Benin, born to a mother with HIV)

Modeste Anato who works for Plan’s partner Care is responsible for mobilising people at a community level and has a big task ahead with nearly a million people to disseminate prevention messages to including more than half a million school age students.

He said: “This work is very important because more and more people are living with HIV/Aids and if nothing is done to pass the right kind of information on, people will fall back into old habits.  It’s only by encouraging people to change behaviour that we will reduce the infection rate.”

Condom distribution at major events and gatherings is just one of many approaches that is working at a community level in Benin.  The role of a peer-educator is crucial in raising awareness of prevention measures. 

Peer Education

After undergoing training, it’s a peer-educator’s task to go out into his or her own community to gather people together in the public meeting place – often under a tree or the football ground – to stimulate debate on HIV and AIDS.  As well as explaining how to prevent infection, the peer-educator demonstrates how to put a condom on and each participant is given four free condoms at the end of a session. 

The role of peer-educator also exists at secondary school and university level, although condoms aren’t distributed at the school sessions as the political and religious context means that there’s more of a focus on abstinence.

Reducing the Risk

The government of Benin’s national health strategy, which runs from 2007 to 2016, is committed to reducing the risk of transmission in its citizens as well as increasing the number of people living with HIV/AIDS receiving treatment and the number of people going for voluntary testing.  By joining forces with agencies like Plan and the private sector to coordinate Global Fund projects, the Ministry of Health should be better equipped to cut both the mortality and the morbidity rates in the country. 

International efforts channelled through the Global Fund have been critical in driving a dramatic scale-up in treatment.  By the end of 2010 Global Fund-financed programmes had provided 1 million HIV-positive pregnant women with treatment to prevent HIV transmission to children, 150 million HIV testing and counselling sessions, 2.7 billion condoms, and more than 5 million basic care and support services for children orphaned by AIDS.

According to Plan Benin’s country director, Bell’Aube Houinato: “Plan’s role as a principal recipient of the Global Fund enables us to play a leadership role in the health sector, with greater visibility and better opportunities to influence key development policies in the country."

Read more about Plan Ireland's work in this area

We remember Kate through these words; her hopes for strength through adversity, her gratefulness for opportunities she had been given, her endless dreaming, unselfish loving and her acknowledgement that small acts of kindness can be life changing.

Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

You can read Kate's 'Because I am a Girl' blog here

Christmas Concert in aid of Plan Ireland

Ann Fitzgerald and The West Cork School of Voice present a Christmas Concert in memory of Kate Fitzgerald on Friday 9th December and Saturday 10th December at 7:30 pm at The Eccles Hotel Glengarriff, County Cork.

Tickets available at the door priced €10.

All proceeds benefit Plan Ireland’s Because I am a Girl campaign, Kate's favourite charity.

Please wear pink!

Please take a minute to send an email to your local TDs urging them to use their influence to deliver on Ireland’s aid promise.  The email has already been written and there’s even a map of Ireland on which you can click, which will list all the TDs in your constituency. It’s really easy to do and takes less than one minute of your time.

Take Action 

Your action can have a massive impact - last year alone, Act Now supporters sent over 5000 emails to their TDs and got hundreds of replies. In the lead-up to the budget, the campaign heard from TDs that the emails convinced them that their constituents care about overseas aid, and helped them to fight to protect it.
 
0.7% is not just a number – it’s more schools and hospitals, it’s better trained teachers and doctors, it’s people living their lives with hope and dignity.
 
Irish people have  always been proud of our reputation for being generous and compassionate to those less fortunate. Please join the Act Now on 2015 campaign and take a minute to let your local TDs know that you care about saving the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people from further hardship.
 
Together we can be the first generation to end extreme poverty, but we have to act now!

Minh from Tan Hoa commune in Quang Ninh province (pictured right), is one of the beneficiaries of this project. As the oldest member of a family of 6, Minh, who is 65 and lost the lower part of her right leg in a traffic accident, is the primary decision-maker in her family and so one cold, rainy December morning, she travelled with her daughter along flooded paths to the local community centre to collect her cash grant.

Setting the scene

The needs of people affected by the floods were evaluated first at a community level as beneficiaries such as Minh and her family gathered in the community centre to flesh out the details of exactly what they needed. 

After the foundations of the programme were laid, the day came for Minh, who is illiterate, to collect the cash. On that morning she had to show her identity card and family record book to the officials there before she received a grant worth $70, with which her family could rebuild their lives.

 “I’m going to buy some rice for the forthcoming [Lunar New Year] holidays. The rest will be spent on a piglet and some chickens for livestock,” she said.

Their future in their hands

Through this cash grants scheme, Plan Vietnam is giving people affected by floods the support to decide for themselves what is best for their families.

One man in the Chau Hoa commune, Quang Binh, divided the cash grant into 4 smaller amounts to buy rice, fertilizer, school supplies and ducks, while a Women’s Union staff member in Huong Do commune, Ha Tinh, said she would save the money in case her children fell ill.

After the floods at the end of 2010, Plan Vietnam teamed up with Irish Aid to implement this Emergency Cash Programme and eventually reach 3,554 households in Ha Tinh, Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces.

A couple of months after the initial distribution, Plan Vietnam and the Centre for Rural Development evaluated the project outcomes to design a model that could be used as a reference for related governmental departments, authorities and humanitarian agencies.