A nurse who spent 12 years working in the humanitarian sector in Africa has been appointed to the Isle of Man Government’s Overseas Aid Committee.
Claire Bader brings a wealth of experience to the role, having been actively involved in aid programmes in developing countries such as Mozambique, Malawi and Burundi.
Currently working as a nurse at Noble’s Hospital, Ms Bader will help to oversee the Island’s contribution to overseas development projects and international emergency appeals.
She joins Chairman Phil Gawne MHK, David Anderson MHK, Eddie Lowey MLC and Howard Green MBE as a member of the Overseas Aid Committee of the Council of Ministers.
Mr Gawne said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Claire and feel sure that her skills, enthusiasm and real-life experience will be of great benefit to the Committee. The Isle of Man Government is committed to playing its part in international efforts to create a more sustainable future in the world’s developing countries, and Claire’s appointment will support that work. Through her previous roles, she is already very familiar with the funding, delivery and evaluation of overseas aid programmes.’
Ms Bader has worked with a variety of international agencies during her career — including Save the Children, Oxfam, World Food Programme (UN) and the Clinton Foundation HIV Initiative — to help some of the world’s most vulnerable regions address public health issues such as malnutrition and HIV/AIDS.
She is also a member of the One World Centre, an Isle of Man registered charity that seeks to raise awareness of global poverty, inequality and injustice.
Ms Bader said: ‘Occasionally during my years in Africa, I’d be driving along a very remote rural road on the way to visit a health centre when out of the corner of my eye I would catch a glimpse of a sign. I’d ask the driver to stop and turn to see a painted plaque showing a water pump or school building that had been funded by the Isle of Man. I'm now looking forward to joining the Overseas Aid Committee and ensuring that allocated money goes towards providing relevant and sustainable projects to assist communities in developing countries.’
Ends
Thursday 3rd, February 2011 02:52pm.
