The Dublin North Health and Welfare branch has repeated last year’s generous donation to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). For the second year running, the branch has donated 10,000 euro as a token of their solidarity and to support the charity’s work providing medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare in over seventy countries, including significant presences in Sudan and Gaza. 

Branch chair, Michael Davis said, "This is our second year to support Médecins Sans Frontières, and the need to do so increases day by day.” 

He continued, “What is unfolding before us in Gaza is beyond comprehension. Healthcare workers have suffered appalling casualties. These are people who are only trying to bring medical attention and comfort to others, and even they have not been spared from the outrages taking place. As trade unionists and healthcare workers, the very least that we can do for them is to extend a helping hand.  

“There is no looking away on this, we will stay the distance with them!" he concluded. 

Branch campaigns and equalities officer, Liz Butler proudly presented the cheque on behalf of the branch during the Thursday 19th June meeting of the branch executive committee. She said, “There should be no expiry date on our solidarity.”

Accepting the cheque on behalf of Médecins Sans Frontières Ireland, Liam Corcoran thanked the branch for their continued support and gave an update on MSF’s activities over the past year. 

He said, “As MSF, we are very grateful to members of the Dublin North Health and Welfare branch for the generous donation to support our life-saving work around the world.” 

“Amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan—the world’s largest humanitarian crisis—our teams are providing urgent medical care and basic services in 11 of 18 states. In Gaza, since the war began on October 7, our medical teams have handled hundreds of thousands of outpatient and emergency cases, despite rapidly shrinking space for healthcare and humanitarian work.” 

“MSF remain committed to providing impartial medical humanitarian aid to people who need it. The branch’s donation helps us to continue to go where others can’t, and to provide care based on need alone. For that, we are very thankful.” 

Liam underlined how important it is that MSF is funded through donations. Significant cuts to foreign aid budgets in the current geopolitical climate are causing many charities to scale back in their operations. According to Liam, MSF “are looking at how and where we may be able to scale up, expand or reprioritise some of our activities in response to critical medical gaps.” 

The Dublin North Health and Welfare Branch credit the union’s donations to the Irish Red Cross’s Ukraine and UNICEF Gaza appeals as inspiring them to support MSF. 

Michael said “It all stems from a number of years ago Fórsa made a couple big donations to the Irish Red Cross and UNICEF. At the time Kevin Callinan encouraged branches to keep it going. So we did. We followed that example, and we hope when others see what we’re doing they feel encouraged to do the same.”

He continued: “We chose MSF because there is a natural solidarity there, as a health and welfare branch it relates to the people we represent.” 

“Whether it’s as branches or individuals, if we all chip in we can make a big difference.” He concluded. 

You can donate to Médecins Sans Frontières on their website.

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