Jersey Overseas Aid Commission
Les Sirenes, 8 La Croix Crescent, La Rue a Don, Grouville, Jersey, JE3 9DH
www.jerseyoverseasaid.org.je/kfilipponi.joac@hotmail.comAbout
JOAC was established by The Jersey Overseas Aid Commission (Jersey) Law 2005 (P.14/2005). The objectives of the Commission are to manage and administer the monies voted annually by the States of Jersey for overseas aid. The Commission stands as an independent body within the responsibiliteis of the Chief Minister. In compliance with the Public Finance (Jersey) Law 2005, the States Treasurer is the accounting officer for JOAC.
The Commission consists of three States members and three non - States members, all of whom are appointed by the States of Jersey.
Currently the Commissions total administrative costs represent only 1% of the total budget. The Commission employs a full time Exectutive Officer and a part time assistant for all administrative duties.The non-States Commissioners serve in an honorary capacity and the States Departments which provide essential support do not charge for their services. The Commission will seek to pursue its policies having regard to its limitations on manpower and encourage other to work more efficiently with it.
JOAC firmly believes that:-
It is our moral duty to care about other people and to help them help themselves;
It is our duty to our children and grandchildren to address issues of poverty which may in the long-term threaten global security;
It is the States’ duty to meet existing international obligations. Jersey is a signatory to Agenda 21, www.un.org/esa/dsd/agenda21/, which is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organisations of the United Nations System, Governments and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the enviroment, committing Jersey to moving to a target of overseas aid funding which is comparable with that of other nation states.
That the great need for overseas aid is illustrated by the following:-
There are 1.7 billion people who continue to live in extreme poverty
Over 925 million people were undernourished in 2010. This equates to 13.6% of the estimated world populationof 6.8 billion. Nearly all of the undernourished are in developing countries. Every 3.6 seconds one person dies of starvation. Usually it is a child under the age of 5.
Some 40 million children are living without access to basic healthcare
More than 30% of children in developing countries - about 600 million- live on less that USD 1 a day
10 million people aged 15-24 are infected with HIV
two thirds of the worlds 800 million illiterate adults aged 15 and over, are women.
JOAC’s strategy is driven by a clear mission -
It is committed to joining with others in reducing poverty in poorer countries by making a sustained contribution.
In particular it will continue to contribute to: -
basic health care;
medical care;
effective education;
safe drinking water and sanitation;
projects to assist self sufficiency and food security;
emergency and humanitarian needs;
JOAC will provide funding in the following areas: -
grant aid of development projects implemented through UK registered relief agencies and other recognised specialist aid agencies
emergency and disaster relief principally through Internationally recognised UK registered relief agencies
community work projects, where teams of Jersey volunteers undertake specific development projects
encouraging Jersey Charities in their work in overseas countries generally on a £ for £ basis.
JOAC will give preference to projects located in Countires in Africa and Latin America which are within the bottom 50 countries on the HDI (Human Development Index-2012 rankings. www.hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/ ) which are directly concerned with water and sanitation, primary healthcare, education and the development of sustainable livelihoods. The Commission will also consider projects located in the following countries situated in Asia: Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bhutan.
The Commission will not fund projects located within an EU country.
The Commission will review its policies and procedures on an annual basis to ensure that its funds are used in the most effective and economical way.Categories: Charities, Overseas Aid.
