Derry Concern group was delighted with the response to their Christmas Appeal 2023

The Derry Concern group was delighted with the response to their Christmas Appeal 2023.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: "The generosity of the people of Derry, Tyrone and Donegal continues to amaze all the Concern group members.

"Our collection at the Millenium Forum on Saturday December 18 realized over £2000.

"Charlie Glenn would like to give special thanks to members of the University of the Third Age, U3A, members who contributed over £230 to add to the total sum of over £2,500.

"There are many calls for people’s generosity at this time of year alongside financial demands around Christmas time. However, many people gave a thought to those people in very difficult circumstances around the world," said the spokesperson.

Concern has a presence in 25 countries worldwide, helping with many projects where people are struggling with endemic poverty and various disaster both natural and manmade.

One such country is Niger where Concern has had an active presence for over 20 years.

As a landlocked country and situated in the drought affected Sahel region of Africa, Niger already has serious obstacles to overcome.

In recent years outside factors, over which they have no control, have seriously impacted on Niger. Prolonged drought due to global warming, caused by the affluent world, has seriously affected local food production. The war in  Ukraine which has affected the supply of grain on which many countries are reliant. Wars in neighbouring countries in the Sahel region have led to an influx of refugees. Political instability in the country itself makes finding solutions even more difficult. In such circumstances it is easy to see how any country could be overwhelmed.

Caught up in this web of problems was Houwela Chaibou. For two months she had not been able to find enough food for her daughter Zanadiya. She made her way to a Concern supported clinic where she was able after two months to put her daughter on the road to recovery. Concern helps many people in the country like Houwela with emergency food aid saving the lives of many children like Zanayida. Concern’s decades long presence in Niger has also looked to more long term solutions, including improved food production and basic education in literacy and numeracy which is the key to future development.  

The Concern bookshop in Derry's Ferryquay Street is always open to receive further contributions or for a more serious commitment visit the Concern website to make a monthly debit.  Those who gave to the Concern appeal were making their contribution to bettering the lives of many people like Houwela and Zanayida whose difficulties are hard for us to even imagine.