The Irish Government and Save the Children have a long-standing partnership and a shared commitment to protecting children in crisis.
The Development and Cooperation Division, or as it is more frequently known, Irish Aid, is the Government of Ireland’s development cooperation programme and is housed within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It supports long-term development programmes to help bring about positive change in the lives of people around the world, as well as providing humanitarian support to people who need it. The strategy of Irish Aid outlines a focus on creating a more equal, peaceful, and sustainable world.
In the context of aid cuts and a retrenchment on the global rights agenda, Ireland is holding the line on a human rights-based approach to development and humanitarian action. This makes the Irish Government one of Save the Children’s most principled humanitarian partners, and together, we are working to strengthen the norms and standards that protect children in crisis.
With the support of the Irish Government, Save the Children delivers programmes across countries like Malawi and Ethiopia and works through partnerships such as Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN), an initiative to end all forms of malnutrition.
Our Impact: Tackling Malnutrition in Malawi
Malawi has one of the highest rates of chronic malnutrition in the region. Economic and climate shocks have pushed Malawi into a nutrition crisis, with rising levels of acute malnutrition.
With support from Irish Aid, and in partnership with other donors, Save the Children is implementing MAZIKO, a nutrition and child development project addressing the main drivers of malnutrition. It is implemented alongside the Government of Malawi, GiveDirectly, and the International Food Policy Research Institute in Ntcheu and Balaka districts. The project provides cash transfers and social and behaviour change interventions to improve mothers and children’s health and nutrition during the crucial first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
Working Across the Island of Ireland
Alongside our engagement with the Irish Government, Save the Children has also been working in Northern Ireland for over 70 years. Together, we work across the island with local, national and international institutions, through research, advocacy, campaigns and partnerships, to ensure that every child is heard, valued, and given the same chance of succeeding, regardless of their background.
