GOAL – helping the poorest
of the poor since 1977
John O’Shea, Chief Executive, GOAL
Currently celebrating its 34th year in existence,
GOAL is one of Ireland’s largest and most popular
overseas aid agencies.
Former sports journalist and current Chief
Executive, John O’Shea established the organisation
in 1977. Since then GOAL has responded to
almost every major humanitarian disaster across
the globe, spending €700 million delivering aid to
the poorest of the poor in more than 50 countries.
It has managed this on an exceptionally low
administration cost base.
GOAL’s priority is to bring life-saving assistance
to people affected by emergencies by providing
food, healthcare and other basic requirements.
Once emergency situations have been resolved,
GOAL implements rehabilitation programmes
which include the repair of homes, clinics, schools
and the provision of water and sanitation facilities.
Long-term development programmes are also
implemented in the areas of health, nutrition,
education and the capacity building of indigenous
humanitarian organisations.
Throughout its existence, GOAL has campaigned
tirelessly against corruption in the developing
world.
Calling for total transparency and accountability
in the handling and distribution of overseas aid,
John O’Shea constantly lobbies governments
and other powerful institutions to implement
the changes needed to effectively tackle the
widespread corruption and oppression that deprives
the needy of aid. GOAL is particularly opposed
to the government-to-government model of aid
distribution where the government in receipt of
funds is either corrupt or brutal.
“This dreadful practice of channelling aid through
such governments is morally reprehensible at