Minister of State Kitt announces €1 million for victims of earthquake in Iran
26/12/2003
The Irish Government has pledged up to €1 million to assist victims of today's earthquake in Iran. Announcing the funding, the Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights, Tom Kitt T.D., said that the assistance would be used for the rescue operation and to meet immediate humanitarian needs.
Minister of State Kitt said the death toll was still unknown as the scale of the disaster continues to unfold. He said that the next 48 hours would be a critical period and it was essential to respond as quickly as possible to limit further loss of life and to meet humanitarian needs.
The funding from Development Cooperation Ireland will be channelled primarily through the Red Crescent organisation and other humanitarian agencies including the UN.
