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Tánaiste announces €2 million in emergency humanitarian assistance following the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, has announced €2 million in emergency assistance to the people of Türkiye and Syria following the devastating earthquakes which struck the region this morning. With over 2,000 people confirmed dead, many injured and more fatalities expected, search and rescue operations are continuing amidst wide scale destruction, harsh winter conditions and loss of power.
The €2 million allocation is in direct response to the emergency appeal for funding from the Government of Türkiye and aid agencies working in Türkiye and Northwest Syria. The assistance will support immediate and urgent humanitarian needs on the ground. The funds will be allocated to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the United Nations Syria Cross-Border Humanitarian Fund, which are both best placed to respond immediately and to support local and international organisations already working on the ground to save lives in Turkiye and Northwest Syria.
Ireland also provides pre-positioned funds to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) which reacts rapidly and at scale when disasters happen. Ireland’s contribution to the CERF for 2023 amounts to EUR 12.5 million. The EU has also announced that it will provide significant support to those affected across the region.
Announcing the funding, the Tánaiste said:
"The people of Ireland have been shocked by the loss of life in Türkiye and Syria as a result of the devastating earthquakes this morning. Thousands have already lost their lives and it is feared the numbers will only increase in the days ahead. In response, I have made an initial allocation of €2 million to the IFRC and the UN to address the urgent and immediate humanitarian needs of those affected in Türkiye and Syria."
The Tánaiste added:
"The people of Northwest Syria already face enormous challenges as a result of conflict and displacement. Ireland has consistently supported the Syria refugee response over many years, contributing €23 million annually in support of Syrian refugees and host countries across the region. These communities in NW Syria need our support now more than ever."
In response to the disaster, Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, Seán Fleming, expressed his concern for people across the region:
"The unfolding devastation in Türkiye and Northwest Syria, where people’s lives have already been severely affected by conflict and displacement, will place extraordinary pressure on the humanitarian response in both countries. Funding from Ireland will support them to provide assistance to the most vulnerable. These earthquakes have destroyed hundreds of homes and devastated thousands of lives. It is imperative that we act quickly with direct funding and through the EU to provide the urgent help needed."
The Department of Foreign Affairs continues to monitor the situation closely through our Embassies in Ankara and Cairo and is in close contact with United Nations and aid agency representatives on their response as the extent of the devastation and level of need becomes clearer.
Irish Aid, the government’s programme for international development, is an integral part of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network. Their secretariat supports local Red Cross and Red Crescent action in more than 192 countries, bringing together almost 15 million volunteers for the good of humanity.
The United Nations operates a Cross-Border Fund which allows support to reach millions of people displaced by conflict in NW Syria. 4.1 million people in NW Syria including 2.9 million internally displaced people were already in need of humanitarian assistance before the earthquakes struck. Ireland has contributed €220 million in direct humanitarian assistance to the Syria refugee response since the beginning of the crisis.
Ireland has also contributed to the humanitarian response through our role on the UN Security Council. As co-penholder on the Syria humanitarian file, we successfully led negotiations on the renewal of the Security Council Resolution mandating the delivery of aid from Türkiye into Northwest Syria – a lifeline for millions in the region.
Ireland has committed €12.5 million to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in 2023, an increase of €1 million from 2022. The CERF which was established with the assistance of Ireland provides rapid funding to emergencies and disasters such as the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. Ireland is the 8th largest contributor to this fund since its inception in 2006.
Irish Aid also pre-positions emergency funding with NGO partners in order to allow for quick disbursal in emergency situations. In addition, Irish Aid has pre-positioned emergency supplies such as tents, blankets and water and sanitation equipment in depots around the globe which can be called upon in an emergency.