AFGHANISTAN - Government Announces £2.8 million Aid Package
A £2.8 m aid package for Afghanistan has been announced by Ms. Liz O'Donnell, TD, Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Overseas Development Assistance & Human Rights.
“This package - the biggest ever for a single emergency - will continue to support the work of Irish NGOs (Concern, Trócaire, GOAL, Christian Aid Irl) and the main international agencies in responding to the crisis in Afghanistan.
Along with the £1.2 million already provided since January, today's package brings the total assistance provided by Ireland Aid for Afghanistan in 2001 to £4 million - the largest ever contribution by Ireland to a particular emergency situation.”
In announcing the package and in paying tribute to Irish NGOs for their continued presence in Afghanistan and on its borders, Minister of State O'Donnell stated,
“Last October, Afghanistan was given priority by the Government as a then “forgotten emergency”. The tragic and appalling circumstances in which it has now been brought to world attention are the last we would have wanted. But the world now has a unique opportunity to deal with the human legacy of over two decades of war and three years of severe drought in that country. The Government and Irish people will continue their commitment to provide much needed humanitarian assistance.
There is no reason why our resolve to combat terrorism, in line with Security Council resolutions, and our desire to help the poor of Afghanistan should be mutually exclusive”.
£1.4 million of the package goes to NGOs with the remaining £1.4 million going to the main international aid organisations active in Afghanistan and on its borders.
