The Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister has announced €4.7m in funding to UN agencies as part of Ireland’s programme of assistance to the Palestinian people.
The allocation will help to provide support and assistance to some five million registered Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The funding will go to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and the UN’s Emergency Response Fund.
Minister Charlie Flanagan was in Gaza today, as part of his week-long trip to the Middle East which is taking in Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and Jordan.
“I have seen for myself today the appalling effects of last year’s conflict in Gaza," Minister Flanagan said. "The sheer scale of the destruction and the devastating humanitarian impact on a largely refugee population is truly shocking.
“As a steadfast supporter of the Palestinian people, Ireland has been generous in its response to the Gaza crisis. I am pleased to announce today that Ireland is providing a further €500,000 for UNRWA’s response in Gaza,” he added.
In Lebanon yesterday, Minister Flanagan laid a wreath at a memorial to the 47 Irish peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving with UNIFIL.
