Natural Disaster/Crisis

Some major catastrophes involving Irish citizens abroad may need exceptional levels of response. It is not easy to define every possible circumstance, but these events may be the result of natural disasters or large-scale accidents, or of terrorism or conflict. No one set of responses will meet all circumstances.

If the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade considers an event to be a major catastrophe affecting significant numbers of people we can help, we will:

• Consider whether exceptional help should be provided from public funds
• Set up public help-lines
• Provide information if we have it, and if we believe it to be reliable, to people who have been affected and their family members who we are in contact with
• Consider sending appropriate extra staff to the country involved

Other Emergencies

Accessing Funds

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Irish citizens travelling abroad sometimes experience financial difficulties. Such situations can usually be resolved easily and quickly by transferring money from Ireland through well-known commercial agencies. In Ethiopia, there are Western Union outlets in most cities and towns.

If these channels are not available, the Embassy can contact your relatives or friends in Ireland to ask them to send you funds either directly or through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. A statutory fee of €35 applies to a transfer of funds made through the Department.

The Department is unable, under any circumstances, to give loans or to pay any hotel or other expenses incurred by Irish citizens abroad.

Repatriation

In very exceptional circumstances, where the health or security of an Irish citizen in Ethiopia is at risk and there is no way of dealing with the situation satisfactorily locally, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade may agree to repatriate the person to Ireland. This will be done at the sole discretion of the Department and subject to strict conditions which will be set out clearly in each case. The conditions include a written undertaking to repay all the expenses incurred as well as a statutory fee of €35.