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Ireland to provide 2 million euros in aid to Syria

This will bring Irish Aid's total contribution to date to over 2 million euros

DUBLIN, August 29 (Itar-Tass) —— Irish Minister of State Joe Costello, T.D., announced an additional 1.5 million euro (1.9 U.S. dollar) in aid to help address the devastating humanitarian effects of the conflict in Syria.

This will bring Irish Aid's total contribution to date to over 2 million euros, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

“The funding and humanitarian aid for Ireland’s U.N. and NGO implementing partners in the region will provide essential shelter, food, medicine and basic household items to thousands of Syrians. The assistance will reach the vulnerable populations inside Syria and also those who have fled the conflict and sought refuge in neighbouring countries,” the press release said.

The minister made the announcement during his visit to Jordan earlier this week.

In the last few days the numbers of refugees entering Jordan has increased dramatically. With reports of continued atrocities in Syria it is expected that thousands more refugees will cross in the coming days. In response to the influx of refugees, the Jordanian government has called on the international community to support the needs of the refugees. The humanitarian operation will need to be massively scaled up, requiring additional resources and supplies.

“Syria and its neighbours are facing an enormous and growing humanitarian crisis as a result of the escalating violence within Syria. There are over 2.5 million people in need within the country and over 170,000 refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Lack of funds is the main factor hampering the humanitarian response. The funding I announced today will enable our UN partners and aid agencies to scale up their assistance to the millions of vulnerable Syrians whose lives are at risk due to the escalating conflict. Ireland is committed to supporting them through these extremely difficult times,” Costello said.

Costello said that the timing of the visit offered an opportunity to demonstrate Ireland’s leadership on humanitarian issues and our desire to help respond to one of the most complex humanitarian and political emergencies in the world.