What is "gorta"

Gorta (English: "Extreme Want" or "Hunger") is Ireland’s longest-running international development organisation. Following a merger with Self Help Africa in July 2014 the organisation will operate in Ireland as Gorta-Self Help Africa.

Gorta works with smallholder farmers, focusing on long term agricultural development projects. As of 2014, the merged organisation operates in 10 countries across Africa and also supports key initiatives in a further two.

The organisation was established in 1965 as Gorta: The Freedom from Hunger Council. It was founded in response to a call by the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Freedom from Hunger Campaign (FFHC) for member countries to raise public awareness and financial support for long-term agricultural development.

Through its projects, Gorta’s stated aim is the empowerment of communities to eradicate hunger and poverty, with particular emphasis on food and water security and unrestricted access to secure and environmentally sustainable livelihoods.

Gorta UK is an affiliate of Gorta and raises funds from public donors within the UK.