Ireland

Irish government pledges extra €9 million for areas hit by humanitarian crises across the globe

Additional Irish aid will provide releif in crisis areas like the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad
Additional Irish aid will provide releif in crisis areas like the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad Additional Irish aid will provide releif in crisis areas like the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad

The Dublin government has donated an extra €9 million in funding for areas hit by humanitarian crises across the globe.

The money to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) will provide aid in crisis areas like the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad.

The government has contributed €22m to the CERF in 2017 so far.

Foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney said the scale and severity of humanitarian crises globally is overwhelming.

"Millions are on the brink of famine in the Horn of Africa, north east Nigeria and Yemen and diseases like cholera are ravaging people weakened by malnutrition," he said.

"Ireland has a proud history of supporting those in need. Our compassion for those who are suffering will not allow us to stand by while millions are in need of basic requirements like food, shelter and clean water.

Minister of state Ciaran Cannon said the CERF is a "valuable mechanism".

The Central Emergency Response Fund is a large UN fund that is used for immediate humanitarian response at the onset of emergencies.

So far this year, CERF has allocated over €276m to 28 crises around the world, including to crises in the Horn of Africa, Yemen and Nigeria.