Ireland To Provide €3m In Humanitarian Aid

Ireland will provide €2.75 million in humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable populations worldwide through the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan and the Minister for Development, Trade Promotion and North South Co-operation, Seán Sherlock, have announced.

The IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, reaching 160 million people each year through its 189 National Societies. The Federation coordinates relief operations to assist victims of disasters and combines this with development work to strengthen the capacities of its member National Societies.

Minister Flanagan said: "In recent days we have seen yet again the tragic consequences of the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean.

"Ireland is working on several fronts to address this. I want to pay tribute to the crew of the LÉ Niamh which is playing a vital role in efforts to save lives.

"The International Organisation for Migration has rightly underlined the importance of a wider, holistic approach which tackles the underlying causes of this crisis, including in the countries of origin and transit. This is exactly the approach that Ireland is taking. Today’s funding aims to do just that, by helping alleviate the terrible suffering of civilians caught up in the Syrian conflict and will help communities in Sub-Saharan Africa better respond to crises by improving food security, health and disaster preparedness.

"Of course, political efforts to address the issue at EU level must continue. I am in contact with EU High Representative Federica Mogherini in relation to these most recent developments and will be raising them with EU foreign ministers at the earliest opportunity".

(MH)