Tánaiste announces €2 million in funding for Lebanon at Paris Conference
- Foilsithe: 24 Deireadh Fómhair 2024
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 12 Aibreán 2025
The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, will attend the ‘International Conference in Support of Lebanon’s People and Sovereignty’ in Paris on Thursday (24 October).
The meeting aims to demonstrate critically needed international support for Lebanon. Discussions will focus on the need for a diplomatic solution to the current conflict; encouraging pledges for humanitarian relief; and support for Lebanese institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Speaking ahead of the conference the Tánaiste said:
"This meeting comes at a critical time for Lebanon. The scale of the death, destruction and displacement we are witnessing is completely unacceptable. The violence has to stop. We need an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation across the region.
"I have repeatedly condemned Hezbollah for its attacks on Israel and its malign role in Lebanon and the region. But massive airstrikes on densely populated areas and the Israeli ground incursion are resulting in a shocking level of civilian casualties and destruction of civilian property. Israel has an obligation to abide by international humanitarian law. I call on it to do so.
"We need a renewed focus on a diplomatic solution. The international community has a central role to play in this. This includes supporting Lebanese institutions and particularly the Lebanese Armed Forces.
"I will also be highlighting the important role UNIFIL continues to play in Lebanon. Attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers or posts are completely unacceptable and a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Israel has an obligation to protect peacekeepers and its actions are in breach of international humanitarian law.”
The Tánaiste also announced additional funding for humanitarian assistance to Lebanon. He said:
"The humanitarian situation facing the people of Lebanon is catastrophic. The international community has a responsibility to respond. I am today announcing an additional €2 million on top of €1 million announced in support of UN’s High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) for Lebanon last month. This brings to €7 million Ireland’s support for Lebanon this year. This new funding will be channeled through the UN’s Lebanon Humanitarian Fund which plays a critical role in supporting international and local organisations already responding where needs are greatest, and in the hardest to reach areas.”
Notes
The meeting will be opened by President Macron and chaired by Foreign Minister Barrot. Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati will also participate. Invited participants include EU Member States, States in the region, G20 members with the exception of Russia, UN bodies, the World Bank, the ICRC, foundations and NGOs working in Lebanon, and the private sector.
The UN’s Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) is one of the UN’s Country-Based Pooled Funds and has been funded by Ireland since 2016. LHF supports the most vulnerable communities and is a critical part of the UN’s Flash Appeal for Lebanon. It has operated for over 10 years building networks of partners (Lebanese and international, NGOs and UN Agencies) making timely and flexible funding available for humanitarian activities.
Since its establishment, the LHF has allocated nearly $200 million to support critical humanitarian needs, around 90 percent of which went to national and international NGOs. So far in 2024 it has allocated over $30 million to activities focused on Food Security, Emergency Shelter, Health and Protection.
Prior to the current crisis Ireland had already provided over €4 million in humanitarian assistance to Lebanon this year through the LHF and Irish NGOs. The Tánaiste’s announcement of €1 million to UNHCR and a pledge of a further €2 million at this Conference will bring this year’s total to over €7 million – and bring humanitarian assistance to Lebanon since 2018 to over €35 million.