Trócaire

Trócaire is the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland. Trócaire was established in 1973 as a way for Irish people to donate to development and emergency relief abroad. Its dual mandate is to support the most vulnerable people in the developing world, while also raising awareness of injustice and global poverty at home.

Its work is guided by Catholic Social Teaching, recognising the inherent dignity, worth and human rights of all people, as well as the importance of acting in solidarity with each other and in caring for our shared environment. They offer support regardless of race, gender, religion or politics.

Trócaire envisages a just and peaceful world where:

• People’s dignity is ensured and rights are respected;
• Basic needs are met and resources are shared equitably;
• People have control over their own lives;
• Those in power act for the common good.

Trócaire gives expression to this mission by:

• Providing long-term support to people who live with extreme poverty in the developing world, enabling them to work their way out of poverty;
• Providing assistance to people most in need in emergencies and enabling communities to prepare for future emergencies;
• Tackling the structural causes of poverty by mobilising people for justice in Ireland and abroad.

Trócaire works with local and church partner organisations in over 20 countries to deliver humanitarian assistance and long-term support to communities.

In the Great Lakes region, Trócaire’s work in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) focuses on providing humanitarian response, building sustainable livelihoods, and promoting the rights of citizens. Specific attention is given to the rights and needs of women. Trócaire’s work in Rwanda helps people to deal with the consequences of the 1994 Genocide and to develop sustainable livelihoods and accountable governance.