Tánaiste announces €10 million in emergency humanitarian assistance
Press release
23 March 2023Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, has today announced the provision of €10 million in humanitarian assistance for communities in Pakistan, which have been devastated by climate-related flooding.
Six months after the unprecedented floods, millions are still affected by the devastation caused. More than 2.5 million people do not have access to safe drinking water; 7 million children and women need immediate access to nutrition; while nearly 6 million women and girls in flood-affected areas continue to be at high risk of gender-based violence.
To address these ongoing humanitarian challenges, Ireland’s €10 million in assistance is allocated to four of our long-standing partners best placed to respond. They are:
- The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) who are supporting those most vulnerable including Afghan refugees and their host communities;
- The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) who are spearheading work to counter the risks of malnutrition amongst children and providing clean and safe water and sanitation to affected communities;
- The International Rescue Committee (IRC) who are working to protect vulnerable women and mitigating the risk of and responding to Gender Based Violence;
- The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) who, through the Pakistani Red Crescent are accessing hard to reach communities across the country.
Announcing the funding, the Tánaiste said:
“Ireland continues to stand by the people of Pakistan and today on their National Day we express our solidarity with affected communities across the country. The devastating floods last year continue to devastate the lives of millions. We cannot ignore the role that climate change played in the creation of this disaster. It is a clear example of how the most vulnerable and those who contribute least to climate change are bearing the brunt of its impact.”
Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Sean Fleming TD added:
“Through this funding Ireland is addressing significant humanitarian need facing the most vulnerable people in flood affected areas in Pakistan. This includes refugees, women and children. Children in areas affected by the flooding are at real risk of malnutrition, while the inequalities and risks facing women and girls is increasing. This support from Ireland will provide substantial support to these vulnerable groups.”
ENDS
Press Office
23 March 2023
Notes to editors:
- Irish Aid, the Government’s programme for international development, is an integral part of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.
- UNICEF, the UN Children’s Fund, is the leading voice in promoting and protecting children’s rights in Pakistan.
- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network. Their secretariat supports local Red Cross and Red Crescent action in more than 192 countries, bringing together almost 15 million volunteers for the good of humanity.
- The International Rescue Committee (IRC) The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people affected by humanitarian crises—including the climate crisis—to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.
- In 2022, Ireland provided €765,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance. This funding was allocated to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Concern.
- In 2022 Ireland contributed €11.5 million to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and €1.2 million to the IFRC Disaster Emergency Response Fund (DREF). Both of these funds have were utilised in response to the floods in Pakistan. The CERF allocated over €10 million and the DREF allocated €1 million.
- Ireland plans to open a resident Embassy in Islamabad as part of the Global Ireland programme, as announced by the Government in September 2022.
- Pakistan Day, celebrated on 23 March every year, commemorates the adoption of the first Constitution of Pakistan in 1956.
