€2Million of Irish Aid provided to Syrian Humanitarian Crisis

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has announced a further €1.5million worth of aid to help with the devastating humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Syria. This bring Irish Aid's total contribution to over €2million to date. The announcement was made during a visit to Za'atari refugee camp in Jordan by Irish Minister for State at the DFA, Joe Costello, T.D.

Speaking after his visit to the camp, the Minister said:

“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.”

The Minister met with H.E. Mr. Nasser S. Judeh, Minister for Foreign Affairs for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. They discussed the continued political situation in Syria and the Humanitarian consequences and agree to work closely together, particularly during Ireland's Presidency of the EU in 2013.

The minister noted that the visit offered an opportunity to demonstrate Ireland's leadership on humanitarian issues.