4th May 2026

Yesterday was the the 10th Anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2286. President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Director-General of the World Health Organization and the International President of Médecins Sans Frontières have made a joint statement, although you will need to search the media to find it. The Resolution calls for the protection of medical personnel, facilities, and transport in armed conflicts and condemns attacks against healthcare as violations of international law. The joint statement is clear, "the situation is even worse compared to 10 years ago. Today, we mark not an achievement – we mark a failure." The statement continues, "Every day on the front lines of the world’s most devastating crises, our teams witness the catastrophic consequences when the sanctity of health care is compromised. Hospitals are reduced to rubble, ambulances face delays and obstruction, and doctors, nurses and patients are too often caught in attacks that result in death and injury. Patients die from otherwise treatable wounds, women are sometimes forced to give birth without adequate care, and entire communities lose access to life-saving services. When health care is no longer safe, it is often the clearest warning sign that the rules and norms intended to limit the harm of war are breaking down. When hospitals and those who provide care come under attack, we face not only a humanitarian crisis, but a crisis of humanity."  The joint statement calls for all parties to armed conflict to comply with Resolution 2286 emphasising that  states not only to abide by these rules themselves, but also to use all possible influence to ensure that other states and parties to conflict do the same. 

You can read the full statement here.

Loving God, we give you thanks and praise for the work of the WHO, MSF and the ICRC.  We thank you for the doctors, nurses, paramedics, and all who serve in hospitals and clinics amidst the chaos of conflict. Protect them as they risk their lives to save the lives of others. May they and the buildings they work in not be targets for missiles and drones but remain sanctuaries of care, healing and compassion, untouched by violence. We also ask your protection for the patients who seek medical care and safety.  Pour out your love and healing upon them. May all who lead troops and all commanders of war adhere to UN Resolution 2286. Even in the heat of war may humanity keep alive respect and dignity.  We pray for that time when war will be no more and swords are turned into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Rooftop solar panels have been instrumental in helping the Republic of Ireland reach as decarbonisation milestone. For the first time ever the lowest daytime electricity demand level fell below the night-time demand. A combination of spring sunshine and a growth in utility-scale solar power connected to the grid helped contribute to new records being set. A new high for wind generation of 3,898MW was also reached this year.  Diarmaid Gillespie, director of system operations with electricity transmission system operator EirGrid recognises the intermittency of wind and solar. “We are looking at battery energy storage which can provide an immediate injection of power to the system. There is between 700 and 800MW now connected to the system and more on the way. We are also seeing a lot of people installing battery storage along with solar. That is very encouraging.”  Ireland's electricity grid can now accommodate up to 75 per cent of electricity from renewable sources at any one time.  

My soul waits calmly for you O God.

My salvation comes from you,

for you are my rock and my refuge—my strong tower.

I trust you at all times.

I pour out my heart in your presence.

Let me live with you forever

and find protection under your wings.

 You have blessed me,

just as you bless everyone who worships you.

I will sing your praises forever, O God.

Prayer inspired by Psalms 61 & 62