About
ActionAid Ireland
Women and girls: Unstoppable leaders for a fairer world. At ActionAid Ireland, we work passionately every day on the human rights, skills, capacity and potential of the hardest-to-reach women and girls.
We don’t look away. We act.
We work in this unique way because, even though they face the greatest dangers and barriers, women and girls are also the most effective deliverers of progress for their families, their communities, and even for their countries.
Alongside them, we also campaign to reform the unjust social, political and economic systems that keep people locked in poverty and inequality.
Disasters are increasing
The world is facing an unprecedented number of humanitarian disasters. From conflict zones to climate disasters, our local teams are responding—getting essential aid to people who need it most. We deliver food, water, shelter, sanitary products and medicine in the crucial first days.
But we know recovery doesn’t end there. When the cameras leave, we stay. Long after the initial emergency has ended, we provide emotional support and help families rebuild their lives.
Meet Irene:
A mother’s journey to safety and strength
When our local staff in Uganda met Irene, she was in a desperate situation. She arrived at our shelter to escape years of horrific physical and mental abuse.
Following the devastating 20-year civil war in northern Uganda, Irene rebuilt her life. She found land where she could farm and look after her children and found a new partner. But over the years he became abusive. He was shockingly violent. When this escalated to a life-threatening level she had no choice but to escape to survive. A neighbour told her about the ActionAid women’s shelter in Amuru.
She’d found a safe space to recover. Our team gave her counselling and medical treatment. Our legal support meant that her partner was eventually prosecuted. She went back home to her land and reunited with her nine children.
But the threat of violence and control remains. “The culture is that women should not own land. The man wants control. In this community you have people with money who come with buyers and surveyors. They don’t listen to the poor person.”
Get involved
Give a monthly gift
A monthly gift is one of the most effective ways to support our work. Your ongoing contribution provides reliable funding that helps us plan ahead, respond quickly to urgent needs, and deliver lasting support to the communities we serve.
Campaign with Us
We’re a women’s rights organisation campaigning in solidarity with women around the world, who are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, conflicts and emergencies.
There are practical ways you can be part of that today. Here you can access meaningful opportunities to take action through a trusted community creating change worldwide.
ActionAid tax giving
Did you know that by simply completing the below form you can help ActionAid reclaim thousands of euro at no extra cost?
If you have donated €250 or more in one year, your signature is worth – at a minimum – an extra €112. This is of no additional cost to you, but it can make a huge difference to the communities we support.
Donate for Gaza
Thousands of families in Gaza are struggling to access the essentials needed to survive. Food, clean water, healthcare, and safe shelter remain urgently needed as communities work to rebuild their lives.
Fundraise for us
Looking for a meaningful way to support our work? Fundraising for us is a great way to bring people together while making a real difference to the lives of those we serve.
From birthdays and challenges to community events, every effort helps us continue our mission and expand our impact.
Leave a gift in your Will
After taking care of your loved ones, a gift in your Will can create lasting change for generations to come.
Learn more about leaving a gift in your Will here.
Stay updated on our latest news, how you can stand up for women and girls everywhere, and the amazing results of your support.
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Ireland’s role in
funding the climate crisis
Ireland’s role in the financing of these destructive activities is significant. Several large international institutional investors have subsidiaries registered in Ireland.
- Investment managers registered in Ireland held US$ 5.2 billion in bonds and shares attributable to fossil fuels in the Global South.
- Investment managers registered in Ireland held US$ 1.0 billion in bonds and shares attributable to agribusiness in the Global South.
In effect, Ireland helps global investors to profit from their climate-harming investments in the Global South.
Read the “How the Finance Flows” Report
Fossil fuels and industrial agriculture are the two biggest drivers of the climate crisis. As the crisis escalates, these industries continue to expand and thrive. This compounds poverty and inequality and undermines attempts to alleviate poverty.
How banks are fuelling the climate crisis
- Bank financing provided to the fossil fuel industry in the Global South reached an estimated US$3.2 trillion in the seven years since the Paris Agreement on Climate Change was adopted.
- Bank financing provided to the largest industrial agriculture companies operating in the Global South amounted to US$370 billion over the same period.
- Since the Paris Agreement, banks have provided 20 times more financing to fossil fuels and agriculture activities in the Global South than Global North governments have provided as climate finance to countries on the front lines of the climate crisis.
What the Irish government can do
- Amend and update the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act 2018.
- Promote greater corporate accountability for financial institutions to reduce poverty and ensure environmental protections.
- Deliver our fair share of climate finance.
- Ensure stronger action to reduce emissions in Ireland.
- Ensure policy coherence to support our development and climate objectives.
- Actively support fairer global tax rules