Ireland is increasing its funding in humanitarian assistance to families displaced by the recent earthquakes in Nepal by €500,000 to a total of €1.5 million.
The announcement was made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, and Minister for Development, Trade Promotion and North South Co-operation, Seán Sherlock, TD.
The increase in funding comes in light of increasing humanitarian needs which have become clear as a result of ongoing assessments by Irish Aid partners on the ground in Nepal.
The funding is being used to airlift an additional 51 tonnes of Ireland's pre-positioned emergency relief items of blankets, tents, tarpaulins, jerry cans, and other urgent supplies to assist families left homeless by the earthquakes.
An airlift was sent last weekend from the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Subang, Malaysia, where Irish Aid pre-positions supplies for use in global emergencies.
36 tonnes of these additional relief supplies arrived in Kathmandu on Saturday and are being distributed by Concern Worldwide and Goal in the worst affected Nepalese Districts, focusing on survivors and vulnerable families. A further airlift of 15 tonnes will depart Malaysia later this week with relief items to be distributed by Christian Aid and its partners.
Announcing the airlifts, Minister Flanagan said:
“Ireland acted quickly to respond to the earthquake, but as the magnitude of this disaster has become clear, it is all too apparent that further assistance is required.
“Immediate threats to life include lack of shelter, lack of sufficient food, lack of access to sanitation and personal hygiene.
“Our pre-positioned emergency relief items and Irish aid is reaching communities who have been hit hard. We are providing temporary homes to thousands of people across Nepal and helping to meet their water and sanitation needs.
“This will support the Nepalese people to rebuild their lives and lay the foundations for the difficult road to recovery which lies ahead.”
Minister Sherlock said:
“It is crucial that the humanitarian response continues to be supported so that assistance can reach remote and most affected villages, and adequate support reaches those in need ahead of the monsoon season which starts next month.”
Minister Sherlock also announced that additional members of Ireland’s Rapid Response Corps are deploying to Nepal to work with UN partners on the ground.
“Two highly skilled members of Ireland’s Rapid Response Corps, a fleet manager and an electrical engineer, are deploying this week to work with the World Food Programme, and another will deploy next week to work with UNICEF on child protection.”
ENDS
Press Office 19 May 2015