What is GOAL?

GOAL is an international humanitarian agency dedicated to alleviating the suffering of the poorest of the poor in the developing world. It is a non-denominational, non-governmental and non-political organisation. 

Where does GOAL operate?

GOAL currently has in excess of 100 GOALies based in 11 countries: ie Ethiopia, Honduras, India, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Sierra Leone, Sudan (North and South), Uganda, Zimbabwe and Haiti. Across GOAL’s fields of operation, more than 2,500 locally-based staff are employed alongside the GOALies, where together they deliver on a range of humanitarian programmes. GOALies come from all walks of life and include- accountants, nurses, doctors, nutritionists, logisticians, engineers, administrative personnel, and programme managers.  

What GOAL does?

Health

GOAL health programmes include direct healthcare provision; the construction and/or rehabilitation and equipping of health centres and the training of local health staff in their management. GOAL also implements emergency feeding, specialised feeding for the vulnerable and malnourished, and extensive vaccination programmes, and they train local communities and volunteers in health awareness and hygiene promotion activities. GOAL prioritises the provision of Primary Health Care activities and targets specifically Mother and Child Health care programmes.

Livelihoods

A person’s livelihood is their means of earning a living. GOAL has developed numerous livelihood programmes in a number of the countries in which they work. Each of these programmes is tailored to the particular needs, capacities and circumstances of local communities and are typically integrated into a broader rural or urban development programme. 

Education

GOAL implements both formal and non-formal education programmes in the developing world. Within our formal education programmes, GOAL is involved in the rehabilitation and/or construction, and furnishing of school buildings, pre-school preparatory work with vulnerable and street and children who otherwise would have no access to any form of education; and support students through the provision of stationery, uniforms and school fees. GOAL's non-formal education programmes include providing basic numeric and literacy skills training for adults and youth, and provision of vocational skills training programmes. 

Water and Saniation Programmes 

The provision, availability and accessibility to both water and sanitation services is fundamental to people's health and well-being. In all of GOAL's current countries of operation, they are involved in the provision of clean water and sanitation facilities, and in the training of local communities in their maintenance and repair.  

HIV and AIDS

It is estimated that around 9,000 people die every day from an Aids-related illness, by far the majority of these in the developing world, and thus the provision of care, treatment and support services for those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS features largely in GOAL's work. GOAL is implementing a range of programmes for HIV and Aids sufferers, their carers, and those people indirectly affected by HIV or Aids. GOAL’s strategy also comprises of extensive education and preventative programmes for "at-risk" communities, and in assisting Aids and HIV affected households with the basic provision of services. 

Emergencies

GOAL responds to emergencies (both natural and man made) as they arise, and seeks to meet the needs of those affected insofar as our resources and capacities allow. We also train communities on disaster-preparedness and risk reduction in many disaster-prone regions of the developing world. 

An example of GOAL's recent work: HAITI – earthquake response

- GOAL was on the ground in Port-au-Prince within 26 hours of the devastating earthquake of January 12th, 2010. Shortly thereafter, an experienced 30-strong GOAL emergency response team had begun assisting survivors.

- As a major partner of the UN and the US government, GOAL is one of the biggest distributors of food and non-food items in Port-au-Prince.

- At time of writing, we have distributed 1,232.5 metric tonnes of rice to in excess of 300,000 people and we plan to distribute a further 9,400 metric tonnes of rice, beans, cooking oil and salt through March and by the end of April.

- GOAL has delivered non-food items, such as plastic sheeting, kitchen and hygiene sets, blankets, jerry cans, mosquito nets and medical supplies, to 2,260 families, and is preparing to deliver to a further 1,600.

- In late February, GOAL initiated a cash-for-work programme, where we are employing thousands of local workers to clear rubble, refuse and debris from streets, common areas and drains. We are planning to use local labour in the construction of latrine shower and hand-wash units. Similarly, GOAL is building 15 roofed structures for use by locals for community activities and by specialist agencies for education, psycho-social and various other support projects.

- In anticipation of the rainy season, we will build transitional shelters and help to acclimatise countless existing makeshift shelters for 4,000 families.

Charity Registration No: CHY 6271

www.goal.ie