Government announces funding to GOAL for emergency assistance in Iraq

Government announces funding to GOAL for emergency assistance in Iraq

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, TD, and Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello, TD, have announced €200,000 in funding to GOAL to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to vulnerable families fleeing conflict in Iraq.

Speaking in Washington, the Tánaiste said:

“I am extremely concerned by the dramatic deterioration of the security situation in Iraq. Half a million people have been displaced as a result of this intense fighting. The upsurge in violence represents a serious threat to the security, not only of the Iraqi people, but of the whole region.

“I condemn all sectarian attacks against Iraqi civilians, and call for the release of all prisoners, including the Turkish nationals taken hostage in Mosul. The Iraqi people have demonstrated, in the recent national elections, their continuing support for democratic civilian government. All Iraqi political leaders should now come together in a more constructive fashion to overcome this crisis, reject sectarianism and promote national unity for all Iraqis.

“The Government will provide €200,000 to Goal to support their emergency response in Ninewa Governate, Northern Iraq. The funding will be used to provide essential relief items including tents and hygiene kits to the most vulnerable families who have had to flee their homes.”

Warning of a potential humanitarian crisis, Minister Costello said:

“It is clear that a grave humanitarian crisis is looming in a region that has suffered the impact of three years of war in Syria. Ireland stands ready to provide further humanitarian assistance and we have notified our humanitarian partners that we are ready to release essential relief items from the stocks we have pre-positioned in Dubai.

“I call upon all those involved in the fighting to respect international humanitarian law, to ensure that civilians are protected, that safe and unhindered access is granted to humanitarian agencies and that those fleeing areas directly affected by the fighting are guaranteed safe passage.”

ENDS

Press Office

18 June 2014

Notes to the editor:

• Goal is a key humanitarian partner in the region for Ireland’s overseas development programme, Irish Aid. Goal and has received €1.65 million over the last two years for its programmes in Syria.
• Ireland has provided over €13 million for humanitarian programmes in Iraq over the period 2006-2014.
• So far this year Ireland has provided €160,000 to support the provision of protection services and assistance for women and girl Syrian refugees and host communities in Iraq. The funding announced today brings to €360,000 Ireland’s contribution to Iraq.
• In addition, Ireland is to the fore in the international response to the Syrian refugee crisis, and on a per capita basis is one of the most generous donors of emergency humanitarian aid. At the Second International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria and region, Ireland pledged a further €12 million, and has already exceeded this pledge, bringing our overall funding commitment in the period 2011 to 2014 to €28.011 million.