Minister Peter Power, T.D., announces emergency humanitarian funding for Sri Lanka

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Minister announces emergency humanitarian funding for Sri Lanka

Minister of State for Overseas Development, Mr. Peter Power T.D., today announced emergency funding of €170,000 to assist those affected by the conflict in northern Sri Lanka. The funding will be provided to the humanitarian aid agency Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and will support vital medical and nutritional interventions.

Announcing the funding, Minister Power said:

"The humanitarian consequences of the conflict in the Vanni region of northern Sri Lanka are deplorable. Tens of thousands of people remain trapped by the fighting and the civilian death toll continues to rise. I would reiterate calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and urge all parties to do everything possible to protect civilians and facilitate access for humanitarian relief. I also call on all parties to work towards a comprehensive negotiated peace settlement so as to finally resolve this long-standing conflict.

Irish Aid funding to MSF will enable that organisation to continue emergency support to Vavuniya hospital and to provide nutritional and other essential supports to those displaced by the fighting."

Irish Aid also provides core support to other organisations which are at the centre of the response to the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN Refugee Agency.

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21 April 2009

Press Office