Hundreds of employees working for the Irish aid agency GOAL risk losing their jobs following significant funding cuts that have severely impacted the organization’s operations.
Over 900 staff members across GOAL’s global network have been informed that their roles are in jeopardy, with the charity warning of “further cuts in the coming months.” Among those affected, 28 employees in Ireland face potential redundancy.
GOAL, which operates in 14 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Ukraine, directly assisted over 11 million people in 2024. However, recent funding reductions have put several projects on hold, limiting the organization’s ability to deliver humanitarian aid abroad.
In a statement, GOAL CEO Siobhan Walsh attributed the crisis to “significant and sudden cuts” to overseas development assistance in recent months.
“Due to changes across the global donor landscape, there will be a consequential cut to GOAL’s global operations and our support infrastructure,” Walsh explained.
Walsh highlighted the impact of reduced funding from the United States, following Donald Trump’s decision to dismantle the international development agency USAID. She also pointed to cuts by European governments, including the Netherlands, which slashed 30% of its aid budget to prioritize projects that “directly contribute to Dutch interests.” Additionally, the UK recently imposed a 40% reduction in foreign aid.
“The unprecedented scale of these cuts is placing an indescribable toll on the entire humanitarian system, and millions of lives are on the brink,” Walsh warned.
Despite the funding crisis, GOAL confirmed that the Irish government has “maintained its commitment” to supporting the organization.
“Thanks to the continued support of Irish Aid and the generosity of the Irish public, GOAL will continue to do all we can with the resources we have to deliver critical, life-saving programmes,” Walsh added.
Labour TD Duncan Smith has called on the government to collaborate with EU partners to reverse the funding cuts. He highlighted the recent disaster in Myanmar as an example of the urgent need for sustained international aid efforts.
“The potential job losses at GOAL are deeply concerning for the workers involved and point to a sad state of international affairs as we have seen some EU Member States withdraw support for the world’s most vulnerable citizens,” Smith said.
“Ireland must use every political and diplomatic lever available to pressure EU partner states to reverse these aid cuts,” he urged.
Smith further criticized the increased focus on military spending across Europe, warning that this shift undermined international humanitarian obligations.
“The drive to re-arm Europe seems to be coming at the expense of international aid obligations. This is immoral,” Smith stated.
The news follows a similar announcement by Irish aid agency Concern Worldwide, which recently reported job losses due to reduced funding.
M10News Report
