O'Donnell approves initial IR£1,000,000 package of Emergency Aid for victims of Indian Earthquake
Ms. Liz O'Donnell T.D., Minister of State for Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for Overseas Development Assistance and Human Rights, today announced emergency assistance of up to IR£1,000,000 in response to the devastating earthquake in India centred on the western State of Gujarat.
The Minister said : “The toll of death, injury and destruction is rising by the hour and it is especially important to rapidly support the efforts of the Indian authorities, international agencies and organisations already active and operational on the ground. The Indian authorities have established a Disaster Management Group and a number of international disaster assessment and management teams are on their way or have arrived in India. It will be particularly important to meet the basic needs of shelter, food and clothing in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Coordination of the relief efforts will be a key element in maximising their effectiveness in the light of the scale and impact of the disaster".
An amount of IR£250,000 will be made immediately available in response to the appeal of the International Federation of the Red Cross which is coordinating with the Indian authorities in their response to the emergency. The remaining funds will be made available rapidly as a clearer picture of needs emerges from preliminary assessments and reports.
The Minister of State has been in touch with the Embassy of Ireland in Delhi and the Embassy is monitoring the situation closely.
Note: The EU and the UN have sent humanitarian and disaster assessment teams to the region. A UN appeal may be launched shortly. While Irish NGOs do not have a permanent Irish presence in Gujarat, Concern have sent a team to the area and it is believed others may become involved in the relief effort.Top
