Irish Aid Annual Report 2024
2024 marked the 50th anniversary of Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme, known as Irish Aid, which strives to create a more equal, peaceful and sustainable world.
For more than 50 years, Irish Aid has proudly assisted people in need and facing hardship all over the world, during both times of peace and war, regardless of their beliefs or background.
In all areas, we strive to reach the furthest behind first, focusing on the most vulnerable and marginalised. We fund programmes across the world, with a specific focus on Sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia.
Highlights from Irish Aid 2024
Ireland’s ODA in 2024 amounted to a total of €2.35 billion, representing 0.56% of Gross National Income (GNI). With first-year Ukrainian refugee costs excluded, the percentage of GNI was 0.41%, an increase from 0.38% in 2023. This includes funding for development and humanitarian programmes around the world.
This support is delivered by working bilaterally with Governments, as well as with multilateral partners such as the UN and over 400 Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) partners.
Ireland’s support for NGOs alone benefited over 8 million lives in over 100 countries.
Ireland’s ODA in 2024 amounted to a total of €2.35 billion, representing 0.56% of Gross National Income (GNI). With first-year Ukrainian refugee costs excluded, the percentage of GNI was 0.41%, an increase from 0.38% in 2023. This includes funding for development and humanitarian programmes around the world.
This support is delivered by working bilaterally with Governments, as well as with multilateral partners such as the UN and over 400 Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) partners.
Ireland’s support for NGOs alone benefited over 8 million lives in over 100 countries.
Key facts from 2024
In 2024, Ireland ranked among the top 20 donors globally in terms of total humanitarian support. Ireland reacted quickly with funding in response to major crises, including Gaza, Sudan and Lebanon. Ireland currently chairs the Advisory Group of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the world’s largest humanitarian fund.
Through our climate action, Ireland continues to prioritise adaptation in the countries most vulnerable to climate change, as exemplified by our dedicated Strategy for Partnership with Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In 2024, Ireland was Co-Chair of the UN Steering Committee for SIDS Partnerships.
Key facts from 2024
In 2024, Ireland ranked among the top 20 donors globally in terms of total humanitarian support. Ireland reacted quickly with funding in response to major crises, including Gaza, Sudan and Lebanon. Ireland currently chairs the Advisory Group of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the world’s largest humanitarian fund.
Through our climate action, Ireland continues to prioritise adaptation in the countries most vulnerable to climate change, as exemplified by our dedicated Strategy for Partnership with Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In 2024, Ireland was Co-Chair of the UN Steering Committee for SIDS Partnerships.
Globally, 2024 was a year of immense challenges and pressures on democratic processes and institutions. Our work on strengthening governance supports projects on electoral reform, anti-corruption and strengthening national institutions.
In 2024, Irish Aid funded 258 civil society organisations globally, bolstering civil society space worldwide.
Ireland consistently ranks among the OECD member countries with the highest annual proportion of ODA invested in gender equality. Gender equality is a cross-cutting priority in all of our interventions. In 2024, Ireland was vice chair of the OECD DAC Network on Gender Equality (GenderNet) for a third consecutive year.
Globally, 2024 was a year of immense challenges and pressures on democratic processes and institutions. Our work on strengthening governance supports projects on electoral reform, anti-corruption and strengthening national institutions.
In 2024, Irish Aid funded 258 civil society organisations globally, bolstering civil society space worldwide.
Ireland consistently ranks among the OECD member countries with the highest annual proportion of ODA invested in gender equality. Gender equality is a cross-cutting priority in all of our interventions. In 2024, Ireland was vice chair of the OECD DAC Network on Gender Equality (GenderNet) for a third consecutive year.
Top recipient countries in 2024
The five countries which received the highest amounts of bilateral ODA from Ireland in 2024 were:
- Ethiopia €40.9m
- Ukraine €33.9m
- Palestine (including support to Palestinian people across the Middle East region) €30.5m
- Mozambique €26.1m
- Tanzania €26m
Top recipient countries in 2024
The five countries which received the highest amounts of bilateral ODA from Ireland in 2024 were:
- Ethiopia €40.9m
- Ukraine €33.9m
- Palestine (including support to Palestinian people across the Middle East region) €30.5m
- Mozambique €26.1m
- Tanzania €26m
Whole-of-government programme
Ireland’s international development programme is a whole-of-government effort, which means that Ireland’s ODA is funded and managed by a number of government departments and agencies.
This includes the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; the Department of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine; the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications; the Department of Finance; and the HSE.
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