14 Dec 2004
President McAleese will today meet two Irish Red Cross Delegates who are doing life-saving work in Liberia, as part of her visit there.
Welcoming the visit, the Chairman of the Irish Red Cross, David Andrews said he was delighted that the President, who is the President of the Irish Red Cross by virtue of her office, would be meeting these Irish Red Cross Delegates.
The two delegates, Gary Buchanan (42) from Co. Down and Dónal O'Suilleabháin (38) from Co. Sligo have been to the forefront in rebuilding Liberia.
Gary's work has been to deliver and oversee the delivery of aid from the Liberian capital, Monrovia to outlying areas in the countryside, while Dónal was hired to build 80 wells and other clean-water supply points, in the north-east of Liberia which was one of the most severely affected areas of the conflict.
"Our Delegates are essential to many of the operations undertaken internationally by the Red Cross around the world and I am very pleased that two of our Delegates will be honoured with a meeting with our President," said David Andrews.
This year the Red Cross sought Euro 20 million to fund its post-war reconstruction programmes in Liberia. The population and size of Liberia is similar to Ireland, with a population of 3.3 million. Nearly half the population (48%) is under 14 years of age, but with 80% of the people living below the poverty line, life expectancy is very low at 48.15 years.
Anyone who wishes to support the work of the Red Cross can donate money by credit card either online at www.redcross.ie or by calling CallSave 1850 50 70 70 or by post to the Irish Red Cross at 16 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.
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