Systems Accountant

Irish Aid visit to Guatemala and Honduras- an opportunity to celebrate Ireland's commitment to justice in Central America. In what is a volatile region for activists, Ireland's strong support for human rights and environmental defenders was very evident on a monitoring visit to Trócaire's partners this month. Guatemala and Honduras have fragile democracies where protection for human rights defenders is minimal, and attacks, criminalisation, and a persistent lack of access to justice continue. At the same time, Central America has experienced a rapid reduction in donor funding; particularly acute following the dismantling of USAID. In this context, the steadfast support of other nations, like Ireland, has become even more critical. Support for civil society Guatemala and Honduras are among the most dangerous countries on earth for environmental activists and human rights defenders. The high-profile murders of environmental activists in Honduras, Berta Caceres and Juan Lopez or the systematic attacks on Papxigua leaders for defending their territory against mining companies in Guatemala, are among hundreds in recent years. Rampant exploitation from extractive industries, weak state accountability and a culture of impunity have meant the fight for justice is even more challenging. Under Ireland's Civil Society Partnership for A Better World, Trócaire and its partners in both countries have committed to support for indigenous peoples and human rights defenders in the region. Last week, those partners got the opportunity to speak with an Irish Aid delegation from Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade about their work, their fight for justice, and their own inspirational stories of struggle and resilience. Honduras- strengthening women's voice and leadership Jaira Castillo Vásquez, who is a defender of the land in the indigenous community of Las Crucitas, performs a traditional ceremony on the occasion of the Irish Aid visit. Photo: Mabel Hernandez In Honduras, much of the work supported by Irish Aid focuses on the intersection of strengthening women's leadership, supporting indigenous rights and defending the environment. An example of this is 'Las Hormigas', a women's network in Honduras that works through sisterhood and collaboration to build networks that can transform the living conditions of women in their communities. Together with Trócaire, Las Hormigas supports rural and Lenca Indigenous women, including survivors of gender-based violence, through culturally appropriate services such as shelter, psychological support, legal advice and referral pathways. The organisation also works with women's networks to strengthen leadership, advocacy and community action. The Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (ASONOG) is another such network in Honduras. With the support of the Catholic church, it was founded as a platform comprising of organisations aimed at addressing humanitarian response, territorial defence and environmental protection. Trócaire has supported ASONOG since 2003, building a strategic partnership for strengthening civil society and defending the most vulnerable populations in the southern, western and northern regions of the country. Irish Aid and Trócaire staff visiting indigenous communities in Simpinula. Photo: Mabel Hernandez/Trócaire Through Irish Aid support, Trócaire's work with ASONOG aims to strengthen the capacities of civil society organisations, human rights defenders, young people and communities to defend, promote and ensure the realisation of their rights. When the Irish Aid delegation visited, members of ASONOG brought them to see an example of their work in action. The clean-up of the River Puringla shows how, with strong community commitment, especially from young people, the tide of pollution to waterways can be reversed. Trócaire and ASONOG worked with the Guayabal community and their Environmental Commission to stop an illegal rubbish dump from contaminating their river. Today, 16 families have a cleaner river that remains a source of life, wellbeing and livelihood. Guatemala's history since the 1950s has been marked by external exploitative influence, military dictatorship, land appropriation and genocide during the 36-year Guatemalan internal armed conflict (1960-1996). The Genocide of the Mayan peoples, often referred to as the 'Silent Holocaust', was perpetrated by a series of right-wing military dictators, following the CIA-backed coup of 1956. The indigenous people of Guatemala-including Mayan, Garifuna and Xinka- have suffered disproportionately for many years. For this reason, much of Irish Aid support in Guatemala has focused on supporting indigenous efforts towards justice and access to land rights. It was fitting therefore that four of the organisations who receive support from Trócaire and Irish Aid (CALDH, ECAP, ODHAG and UDEFEGUA) met the delegation from Irish Aid at the 'Casa de la Memoria' in Guatemala City, a place for reflection on Guatemala's troubled history. Here, the Irish Aid delegation had the opportunity not only to learn about ongoing efforts to defend human rights, but also to hear first-hand testimonies from survivors of Guatemala's genocide, bringing to life the profound impact of the country's history on communities today. Engracia was invited to Casa de la Memoria to share her life story with Irish Aid - from her experience as a victim of the genocide in Guatemala, to her role as a witness in the Ixil genocide case, and her current position as a Community Authority in Chajul. She is an empowered woman who has become a role model for other women in the Ixil region. Photo: Red Jun Na'oj Community, Land and Spirit The indigenous people of Guatemala have also faced persistent invasion of their land, their ancestral territory. For many years, the Xinka Parliament, representing the indigenous Xinka people, have been resisting the imposition of extractive industries on their land that are posing a danger to their community's health and survival. The struggle of the Xinka Parliament against the Escobal Mine and the mine's Canadian-headquartered parent company Tahoe Resources (now Pan American Silver) saw over 200 people prosecuted and at least 15 killed - including 16-year-old Topacio Reynoso, shot dead in front of her father, who was also injured in the attack. Their struggle has brought them to Dublin and Europe in recent years, campaigning for a substantive Business and Human Rights Treaty to facilitate access to justice for transnational corporate abuses. Their efforts, emblematic of the wider work that Irish Aid supports in the region, exemplify the power of indigenous activism in Guatemala: the fight for the land is a fight for the world. Through deep reflection and conversations, this is the message that came across to the delegation. As Jorge Campo, Human Rights Programme Officer in Guatemala remarked: More than presenting activities and results, Trócaire Head Office, Maynooth, Co. wanted to share the journeys travelled, the lessons learned and the hopes that sustain this work. Each encounter reminded Trócaire Head Office, Maynooth, Co. that the defence of human rights has faces, stories and voices. The people participating in the programme are not passive recipients of support. They are rights holders who develop proposals, exercise political and social agency, and lead transformations rooted in their own knowledge, experiences and ways of understanding the world Trocaire Programme Manager Alejandra Castillo and journalist and human right defender Norma Sancir at the Casa Memoria in Guatemala City. Photo: Red Jun Na'oj

CADA AGM marks the launch of International Development initiative. CADA has launched a new project to develop an evidence-based case for establishing an international development strategy in Northern Ireland, marking an important milestone for the international development sector. Project launched at CADA AGM. The initiative was launched at CADA's Annual General Meeting on 23rd June 2026, hosted by Trócaire in Belfast, where members heard from Frances Guy, CEO of Scotland's International Development Alliance. Drawing on Scotland's experience, she highlighted how international development can become part of a devolved government's priorities and helped set the context for the consultation. Since then, organisations and individuals from across the sector have contributed their views through CADA's consultation and sector survey. Their feedback will help shape the recommendations in the final report. Looking ahead. Northern Ireland remains the only legislature across Britain and Ireland without a formal international development function. CADA's report will set out an evidence-based case for change and will be launched at Stormont on 16 September 2026. The launch will bring together Assembly Members, representatives from the humanitarian and development sector, and invited guests. The keynote address will be delivered by Rt Hon Lord Jack McConnell, former First Minister of Scotland, who led the development of Scotland's international development programme. The report represents an important step in strengthening Northern Ireland's contribution to international development, and CADA looks forward to sharing its findings with members, policymakers and partners.