Goal (charity)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
GOAL was founded in 1977 in Ireland by John O'Shea and is now one of the most respected international humanitarian aid agencies in the world. It has its headquarters in Dublin. It concentrates on the needs of the poorest of the poor, with special focus on children and people affected by HIV/AIDS. Volunteers (numbering in excess of 1000) and local staff (in excess of 2000) bring food, water, shelter, medicine and education to those affected by humanitarian crises, including man-made and natural disasters.
GOAL operates in 14 countries and has responded to almost every major natural and man-made disaster and catastrophe in the since it was established. It has done all this while maintaining possibly the lowest cost base of any established charity, which can be verified by its annually audited accounts.
By putting pressure on world governments and other international institutions, GOAL has kept the issue of poverty in the developing world on the agenda for decades.
Long-term development activities also feature in the work of GOAL. These are seen as essential follow-ups to emergency responses. Activities include provision of long-term health-care, nutrition, education and support for compatible indigenous humanitarian organisations.
Support for GOAL comes from the Governments of Ireland, the UK, the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Sweden, as well as from the European Union, the United Nations, charitable trusts and foundations in many countries, and from many individuals. Sporting celebrities are major supporters of GOAL, with some being prominent patrons of GOAL in several countries.
