Ministers Flanagan and McHugh announce €2.2 million in funding to the International Rescue Committee

Ministers Flanagan and McHugh announce €2.2 million in funding to the
International Rescue Committee

- Part of a new Strategic Partnership on violence against women and girls in humanitarian emergencies

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan T.D. and Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Joe McHugh T.D. today announced €2.2 million in funding over the next two years as part of a new Strategic Partnership between Ireland and the International Rescue Committee.

The announcement was made in advance of meetings held between Mr David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and Ministers Flanagan and McHugh. Mr Miliband is in Ireland today to discuss the relationship between Ireland and the IRC in the context of the current scale of global humanitarian need and the vulnerability of women and girls which the IRC responds to through Irish funding.

Speaking about his meeting with Mr Miliband, Minister Flanagan said today:

“The International Rescue Committee is an important humanitarian partner for Ireland.  It is a leading organisation in the protection of women and girls who are disproportionately affected by humanitarian crises.

“Last year, Ireland provided over €165 million in humanitarian funding through our partners, including the IRC, to crises across the world. Ireland remains committed to working with a range of humanitarian partners, including our NGO partners, the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

“The partnership with the International Recuse Committee is critical in delivering some of Ireland’s key policy priorities which include the promotion of human rights and gender equality.”

Minister of State McHugh went on to say:

“We recognise that agencies like the IRC have the expertise and capacity to deliver assistance to the most vulnerable in times of crises.

“Ireland has been particularly supportive of the work that the International Rescue Committee has taken forward to address Gender Based Violence in Emergencies.

“I am pleased that Ireland is building on its relationship with the IRC through this new Strategic Partnership.  Over the next two years, we will provide € 2.2 million for IRC’s work with a continued focus on the protection of women and children in emergencies.”

During his visit to Dublin, Mr Miliband addressed an invited audience, comprised of representatives of the Foreign Affairs Committee, NGO sector, women’s groups, academia, and relevant Government Ministries, at a seminar in Iveagh House.  His address formed part of the Iveagh House Lecture Series.

ENDS
Press Office
23 February 2017

Notes to the Editor:

• Irish Aid provided over €165 million in humanitarian assistance in 2016.
• Humanitarian funding is provided through the UN, international organisations and NGOs.
• Irish Aid has provided almost €5.8 million to the IRC since 2012.  The announcement of €2.2 million in funding over the next two years will bring this support to over €8 million. 
• Mr Miliband will deliver a keynote address as part of the Iveagh House Lecture series. The address titled “Keeping Women and Girls safe in Emergencies”, will share evidence on how the IRC protects women and girls in crises and consider how humanitarian agencies can prioritise women and girls in their policies and practice.