A recent report showed that trust in the effectiveness of Irish overseas aid has dropped by 4% since 2017, but Matt Moran ex-chairman of Misean Cara feels that the missionary structure could improve this. The 2019 survey by Kantar Survey of Public Attitudes towards Overseas Aid is now in its third year. It is jointly-funded by partners including Christian Aid, Oxfam, Action Aid, Self Help Africa, Plan International, Concern, Trócaire, Vita and Dóchas.
It shows that 83% of Irish people believe that overseas aid is effective in improving lives in poorer countries and 94% of Irish people believe it is important to support poorer countries through overseas assistance.
Mr Moran said that there has recently been discussion on ‘Doing Development Differently’. Duncan Green, a strategic advisor to Oxfam UK and self-proclaimed atheist has pointed to the work of missionaries for an example of a different way of doing development. “That may be impacting to some degree on that 4% fall. But certainly, on the missionary side, I’m not aware of any evidence that would show any decline in the perception of its effectiveness due to the nature of it,” said Mr Moran.
According to the report, 31% of people named support to overseas missionaries as one of the efforts the Irish government makes in helping people in poorer countries.
Mr Moran says that due to the way missions are run they have a more effective, all round holistic approach, “These are people who bring particular qualities of accompaniment and solidarity and dignity of the person. They bring that sort of added value; they’re living amongst the community they know the needs they can easily identify the needs.”