Minister Lenihan pledges support for those displaced by the violence in Iraq

Mr. Conor Lenihan, T.D, Minister of State for Irish Aid and Human Rights, today announced a €1.4 million package of humanitarian assistance for those displaced within Iraq and for those who have sought refuge in neighbouring States. The announcement comes as a UNHCR Conference gets underway in Geneva to highlight the humanitarian needs of those displaced by the violence in Iraq. Making the announcement, Minister Lenihan said:

“The continuing deterioration in the humanitarian situation of those vulnerable people displaced by the violence in Iraq is a matter of the utmost concern. The Government is committed to providing humanitarian assistance to those displaced by the violence.

“Today I am making €1.4 million immediately available for emergency relief inside Iraq for those affected by the conflict and those who have fled to neighbouring countries. I hope that this week’s conference will draw attention to the very real needs of the civilian population and the humanitarian imperative to provide assistance and protection to those affected by the conflict”

Note for Editors:

It is estimated that there are up to two million internally displaced persons (IDPs) within Iraq, and some two million seeking refuge outside the country, mostly in Syria and Jordan.

Significant numbers of these refugees and displaced groups are women and children whose husbands or fathers had been killed in the conflict; they are a particularly vulnerable group.  Health and social services are under severe stress. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) have indicated that provision of basic services and people’s access to services are being severely affected. Access to water and sanitation is limited and many are dependent on food aid (over three million are totally dependant on food aid to survive). Mortality rates have increased due to the violence but also due to lack of access to health services.  The plight of Palestinian refugees within Iraq remains a particular concern.

Today’s funding forms part of the €3 million in humanitarian funding committed by Ireland to Iraq at the start of the year. It is additional to the €7.9 million already provided by Ireland for humanitarian relief in Iraq since 2003. It is being targeted at agencies working with the growing numbers of families who have been forced by the violence to flee their homes. The funding will be allocated as follows:

• €500,000 for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to provide assistance for refugees and internally placed persons in neighbouring countries such as Jordan and Syria
•  €500,000 for the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is working in conjunction with the Iraq Red Crescent Society within Iraq to meet the most urgent humanitarian and protection needs of all vulnerable segments of the population in Iraq
• €400,000 for the AMAR Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation, which provides primary health care in Southern Iraq.