Good News, Bad News

“This project is among the most successful I have ever evaluated!”

I was delighted and humbled when I heard this statement. The independent consultant was presenting the report of his consultancy’s evaluation of our project in Ethiopia. He had carried out a thorough review of the project’s activities through interviews with participants and project implementors, assessing the project’s coherence, interrogating the use of funds, and measuring impact.

“The Tearfund Ireland project stands as a model of inclusive, community-centred development that addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by vulnerable populations in Ethiopia. Through strategic alignment, capacity-building, and sustainable interventions, the project has made significant strides in fostering resilient and thriving communities.” [i]

In Addis Ababa, on Wednesday, 29 January 2025, I was in a room alongside key people from each of our local partner organisations. These committed men and women were the community development experts implementing the project in Ethiopia, which is funded by Tearfund Ireland supporters, Irish Aid, Tearfund Australia and Cedar Fund (a like-minded organisation based in Hong Kong). We were all encouraged by the findings from the independent consultant. The assessment of the project and the recognition of its transformative impact on thousands of vulnerable people who are lifting themselves out of extreme poverty was a rewarding piece of good news. (We’ll be sharing more results from this evaluation report in the coming weeks.)

A day earlier I sat with friends from another INGO working in Ethiopia and other countries across East Africa. I was deeply troubled by the news they shared. In the days prior they had been informed that a majority of their projects were forced to stop immediately. In our conversation, they told of how they were dealing with the complexities of stopping crucial food, water and medical programmes for some of the most vulnerable people in East Africa.

“How do you tell people we are not allowed to give them the vital medicines that are sitting on the shelves? How do you tell a community who have invested their own labour, time and resources into a clean-water project that we can no longer assist them? How do you tell project staff that we can no longer employ them?”

The decision made on 24^th January 2025 that all funding from US-AID was to stop while a 90 day review was carried out, did not only impact future funding decisions but, as our friends explained, it included an immediate cessation of all project activities that were supported by any US-AID funding.

One day filled with good news. Another day filled with bad news.

One day, we see the life-transforming impact of the work we do in international development. Another day, we see the impact on vulnerable communities when a major aid funding programme is immediately stopped. These are the complex realities of the world we live in.

Across the media there are many voices expressing many opinions, emotions and perspectives. Many think the decision to stop and review US-AID funding is bad news. Many think the decision is good news.

Although the programmes funded by Tearfund Ireland are not directly impacted by this decision, we are indirectly affected. Organisations within the Tearfund Family are directly impacted, as are members of the Irish Emergency Alliance. Many of these, like my friends within Ethiopia, are facing the heart-breaking, head-wrecking decisions to stop projects and lay-off employees. Some of the local partner organisations providing direct support to the projects will be forced to close their doors.[ii]

But, if viewed from a broader perspective, we are all impacted. Whether we work in the international humanitarian sector or not, this decision has far-reaching implications that will affect everyone on the planet. How will future decisions for international aid be made? What rationale will determine where aid is offered? Or, equally, to whom will development assistance be offered? The answers to these questions will shape our collective future.

Tearfund Ireland believe that all people are created in the image of God.

For that reason, each person has inherent value and should be treated with dignity. Further, we are committed to putting into practice Jesus’ instructions to love our neighbour, to do good to our enemy, to provide for the hungry, to care for the orphan and the widow, and to help others learn to do the same.

In a world full of bad news, we believe there is good news.

We will strive to demonstrate this perspective, learning how to shine our light and do good works so that others may see and glorify our Father in heaven.

We invite you to continue your prayers, awareness raising and financial support so we can assist more vulnerable individuals to overcome poverty, withstand crises and transform their communities.

Cover Photo: Gavin Leane

[i] (Grace Consultants, ‘Evaluation report for TF IRE Program “Thriving communities through women’s economic empowerment, improved climate resilient livelihoods and the engagement of Civil Society Organizations in Ethiopia”’. October 2024; p.54)

[ii] A helpful explanation of the implications from the perspective of an Irish development agency can be heard in a radio interview. Click here to listen to a playback of Nurture Africa CEO Brian Iredale speaking on RTÉ’s Drive Time https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22484548/ .