Irish Aid announces Special Emergency Funds for NGOs

Michael Kitt TD, Minister of State for Overseas Development, today announced a Special Emergency Fund which will enable Irish NGOs to respond quickly to global emergencies.

Under the terms of the agreement, Irish Aid will provide Concern, Goal and Trócaire, Ireland’s three largest humanitarian organisations, with a Special Emergency Fund of €500,000 each. This money can be drawn upon in the event of any sudden on-set humanitarian emergency. The funds will be replenished by Irish Aid on receipt of satisfactory reports of spending. Announcing the pilot initiative Minister Kitt said,

“I am delighted to make this announcement. Experience from emergencies has shown that lives are saved where the international community responds quickly. This new fund will save lives by enabling our partners to improve the speed of their responses to humanitarian emergencies.

“Irish Aid already provides pre-allocated funds to both the United Nations and the International Red Cross for their Emergency Response work. It makes sense that Irish Aid should make similar provisions in respect of the three leading Irish relief agencies by establishing special emergency funds for them.”

Note to Editors

This is a pilot programme which is set to be reviewed at the end of 2009. Under the initiative Irish Aid will transfer €500,000 to the three NGOs. In the event of a sudden onset emergency, they can draw down necessary funds from this account in order to facilitate an immediate response to the emergency. The NGO will inform Irish Aid of the level of draw down and purpose in advance. After the emergency, the NGO will report to Irish Aid on the expenditure. Subject to satisfactory reporting on all expenditure Irish Aid will replenish the Emergency Fund to return it to its running balance of €500,000.