Minister Charlie Flanagan pledges an extra funding for humanitarian crisis in Syria
Ireland has pledged to increase its humanitarian support for the victims of the Syrian crisis by almost €3m.
On the 60th anniversary of our membership with the UN the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, says Ireland will be sending a further €2.95m on top of the €13m already pledged this year.
Up to 250,000 people have been killed in the violence in Syria over the past five years.
Speaking from Brussels, Minister Flanagan said the money will go directly to those caught up in the conflict.
He said: "Ireland has been responding to this crisis since 2012, providing needs-based humanitarian assistance through our UN, Red Cross and NGO partners.
"Earlier this year, Ireland pledged €12m in support for the Syrian people for 2015.
"As this crisis has continued to spread, it is appropriate that we now step up our response.
"I am pleased that today’s funding announcement of a further €2.95m will bring to €13m the humanitarian support we will have provided to Syria this year, bringing our total support since 2012 to €42m.”
