Minister Flanagan and Minister Sherlock launch Ireland's new Humanitarian Assistance Policy

The first ever Irish Humanitarian Summit was held in Dublin today, bringing together over 200 Irish humanitarian leaders to discuss Ireland’s response to humanitarian crises.

The first ever Irish Humanitarian Summit was held in Dublin today, bringing together over 200 Irish humanitarian leaders to discuss Ireland’s response to humanitarian crises.

President Michael D Higgins opened the Summit, with keynote addresses from Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, and Minister for Development, Seán Sherlock. They were joined by a wide variety of participants from Ireland and beyond, all bringing their own insights and experiences on humanitarian responses.

The Summit took place against the backdrop of an unprecedented wave of humanitarian crises in recent years. The number of people affected by humanitarian crises has almost doubled in the past decade. Record numbers of people are fleeing war and persecution, with 59.5 million people displaced worldwide as a result of conflict.  The number, scale and intensity of emergencies continues to increase; and with 35 per cent of humanitarian requirements remaining unfunded, the humanitarian system is struggling to cope.

Discussions at today’s Summit centred on how to improve Ireland’s contribution to this global response, so that we can provide faster, better, and more effective assistance.  The Summit was the culmination of a year-long Irish Consultative Process, involving key groups concerned with humanitarian action in Ireland.  The outcome of the discussions will form the basis for Ireland’s submission to the United Nations in advance of the World Humanitarian Summit taking place in Istanbul next May.

The Summit also saw the launch of Ireland’s new Humanitarian Assistance Policy. The Policy outlines how Ireland will save and protect lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity before, during and in the aftermath of humanitarian crises.

Take a look at the Irish Humanitarian Summit agenda

Read more about Irish Aid’s response to humanitarian crises

Check out photos from the Irish Humanitarian Summit