Latest news with #OCO
Muscat Daily
09-07-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
OCO disburses over RO3mn aid across Oman in H1 2025
Muscat – Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO) distributed more than RO3mn in aid within the sultanate during the first half of 2025, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to supporting those in need and promoting transparency and public trust. The organisation released a report recently detailing the volume of assistance provided and highlighting its humanitarian efforts across the sultanate. Badr bin Mohammed al Zaabi, Acting CEO of OCO, stated that publication of the report reflects the organisation's strategy to assess the humanitarian impact of its work and enhance institutional transparency. He informed that OCO is undergoing a comprehensive development phase to improve performance and expedite its response to eligible beneficiaries, including a new initiative aimed at completing beneficiary procedures within a shorter timeframe. Zaabi also expressed his gratitude to all contributing institutions and individuals, particularly companies that actively support corporate social responsibility programmes. 'OCO continues to dedicate itself to building strategic partnerships that serve the community and deliver meaningful and measurable outcomes,' he added. The assistance provided during the first half of the year was wide-ranging. Direct financial support totalled approximately RO513,000 and benefited 1,489 individuals. Food assistance exceeded RO1mn, supporting 39,514 people, while educational support amounted to over RO157,000 and was extended to 231 students. Medical aid reached over RO50,000, benefiting 39 individuals. Housing assistance totalled more than RO142,000, helping 77 people. Additional services worth over RO73,000 were also provided to 39 beneficiaries. Furthermore, specific assistance for orphans exceeded RO900,000, benefiting 4,157 children. OCO reaffirmed its commitment to meeting the needs of the Omani community through innovative programmes and effective partnerships that contribute to social stability and foster the values of solidarity and compassion.
The Journal
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Ombudsman 'exasperated' over repeated warnings on lifelong impact homelessness can have on children
LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago THE OMBUDSMAN FOR Children is expected to tell an Oireachtas committee this morning that the impact of homelessness and unstable living conditions on children is 'catastrophic'. Dr Niall Muldoon and other members of the Ombudsman for Children's Office (OCO) will appear before the Oireachtas Housing Committee later this afternoon, alongside the Dublin Region Homelessness Executive and Westmeath County Council. Muldoon will tell TDs and Senators that it is 'exasperating' to have to repeatedly warn of the serious impacts of homelessness on children amid the ongoing housing crisis. He will say that the OCO has been raising many of the same issues that are impacting children's lives and preventing them from fully enjoying their lives over the last 20 years, with child homelessness having grown 'exponentially' in the last ten years. 'As Ombudsman for Children I have made recommendations, met with Ministers and officials, but still every month the number of children who are living in homeless accommodation continues to grow,' Muldoon will say. 'Housing has been identified by the Taoiseach as the 'number one issue' for the current government, and so it should be,' he will tell the committee. Advertisement 'The trouble is that the seriousness of the housing situation has been known for almost a decade now, and because of its longevity the effects have rippled across all of our society. Children however have borne the biggest brunt of the ongoing crisis and we cannot forget that.' Muldoon will say that the move away from local authority housing during the economic crash in 2008 has led to a situation now where 'we are consistently failing more and more children and families who are falling into homelessness'. He will highlight the 2019 No Place Like Home report, which featured children's views and experiences of homelessness and recommended that the Housing Act 1988 be amended to place a statutory duty on local authorities to ensure the best interests of the child is at the centre of decision-making when supporting homeless families. The report also recommended that capital investment in, and output of social and affordable housing be 'significantly increased'. 'These recommendations were reflected in the 2019 report from Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, yet we have seen little or no progress,' Muldoon will say. He will call for the Government to introduce 'bold brave measures' to address 'what is a crisis of epic proportions for children in Ireland'. I know it is not a simple problem to solve but it must be done. 'Until children are considered in their own right, and their specific circumstances addressed, it will be difficult to make significant progress.' According to the latest figures from the Department of Housing, 4,775 children were among a record 15,580 people living in emergency accommodation in the State in April. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Children's Ombudsman 'utterly dismayed' by rise in child homelessness
The Children's Ombudsman has said he is "exasperated and utterly dismayed" with the rise in child homelessness. Niall Muldoon was speaking as the Ombudsman's for Children's Office (OCO) publishes its annual report for 2024. "There were upwards of 4,500 children availing of homeless services at the end of 2024," Mr Muldoon said. "We still get complaints from people trying to access emergency accommodation. "It is clear that the delays these families are experiencing, due to the lack of available and affordable housing, is having a significant adverse impact on their children's lives," he added. Mr Muldoon said that the Ombudsman office has consistently called on the Government to review the support in place for children and families in homelessness. In a statement, the Department of Housing said child homelessness is not Government policy, however, addressing homelessness is a priority. "The new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, sets out a number of commitments around addressing family homelessness. "The plan commits to providing emergency accommodation for everyone who needs it, with special support for children impacted by homelessness; ensuring a holistic, cross departmental approach to homelessness prevention and focusing social housing allocations on getting families out of long-term homelessness," it added. "Increasing supply is key to addressing homelessness. The overall capital funding available for housing in 2025 is now over €6.5 billion. "In the first quarter of this year nationwide, 642 households, including 850 adults and 369 families, were prevented from entering emergency accommodation by way of a tenancy being created and in addition 628 households, including 796 adults and 277 families, exited emergency accommodation by way of a tenancy being created," the statement said. As well as highlighting the year-on-year rise in the number of families in emergency accommodation, the ombudsman's report also highlights the high volume of complaints the OCO receives about children's public services. In total, the OCO received 1,772 complaints in 2024. The complaints are increasing in complexity; 16% of complaints related to more than one agency, while 33% included multiple categories of concern. Education is the issue which OCO received the most complaints about, followed by Tusla and then children's health services. The OCO was established in 2004 to protect and promote the rights of children. Mr Muldoon said that many of the issues the OCO was advocating for two decades ago, are still not resolved. He emphasised that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is not fully and directly incorporated into Irish law. Although there has been "much progress" in that time, according to Mr Muldoon, there are still many areas where the complaints made to his office in its 20th year, are the same as what they heard in the first year. Complaints related to special education, access to health services, the standards of healthcare, access to disability services were all made in 2004 and also in 2024. "The consistency of the issues raised 20 years apart highlights for us again the need to properly place children's rights, all of them, at the forefront of policy decisions and service provision," Mr Muldoon said.
Muscat Daily
23-03-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
OCO distributes Ramadan aid in Yemen
By OUR CORRESPONDENT Salalah – Oman Charitable Organization (OCO) is distributing Ramadan aid in Hadhramaut governorate and around it in Yemen. This is part of the sultanate's ongoing humanitarian efforts to support the people of Yemen. The initiative aims to ease the financial burden on needy families by providing essential food baskets through a structured distribution mechanism, ensuring aid reaches those most in need in coordination with relevant authorities. Officials in Hadhramaut expressed their gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and the sultanate for their unwavering support. They commended OCO's efforts in assisting vulnerable families, particularly amid the economic challenges facing the governorate. Badr al Zaabi, Acting CEO of OCO, affirmed that this aid is an extension of Oman's longstanding humanitarian commitment to Yemen and that distribution efforts will continue ensuring support reaches the largest possible number of deserving families.
Muscat Daily
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Oman sends Ramadan aid to Yemen
By OUR CORRESPONDENT Muscat – Oman Charitable Organization (OCO) has sent Ramadan aid to Al Mahra governorate in Yemen, reinforcing the close ties between the two countries. A convoy of trucks distributed 28,500 food parcels among underprivileged families in various districts of Al Mahra. The aid aims to ease hardships faced by vulnerable families and provide relief during the holy month. Mohammed Ali Yasser, Governor of Al Mahra, expressed gratitude for Oman's support, acknowledging its vital role in providing aid, particularly amid economic difficulties faced by many families in the governorate. Badr Mohammed Ali al Zaabi, CEO of OCO, said, 'This aid reflects Oman's enduring humanitarian values and its responsibility to assist Yemen in times of need.' He added that OCO will continue to support humanitarian and development efforts to foster stability in the region.
