Minister of State for Overseas Development Peter Power today announced an aid package totalling almost €3 million for Iraq.
The funding of €2,940,850 aims to address the basic needs of the most vulnerable people within Iraq, particularly the displaced and their host communities, as well as the needs of Iraqi refugees in neighbouring countries.
The Minister said there had been "a welcome reduction" in the level of violence in Iraq this year but he added: "Iraq is now experiencing one of the most serious displacement crises in the world.
"The funding announced today will be channelled through a number of Irish Aid’s key humanitarian partners who are working tirelessly and courageously, often in very difficult circumstances, to meet the critical needs of the most vulnerable Iraqis.”
Of the total allocation,
€1.7 million will go to the UN Refugee Agency for its work with Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons;
€450,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross;
€300,000 to the Humanitarian Response Fund managed by the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq.;
€490,850 to the AMAR (Assisting Marsh Arabs and Refugees) International Charitable Foundation for health care rehabilitation in the southern Iraqi marshlands.
Mr Power added that a shipment of blankets, plastic water containers, plastic sheeting and kitchen sets from Irish Aid humanitarian supplies in Italy is on its way to the region.
