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Ireland supports Pakistan Rescue Operation
Last updated on 10 Aug, 2010
Summary: The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, TD has confirmed that Ireland is taking part in the international rescue and relief operation underway in Pakistan following the devastating floods.
“As a major contributor to the United Nation’s Emergency Relief Fund, Ireland is helping ensure there can be a swift response for people on the ground whenever and wherever disaster strikes. This UN fund is at the forefront of the international response to the Pakistan floods – and has allowed for aid to arrive in the most devastated communities in a matter of hours.”
“Last year we were the second largest contributor to the fund, providing €20 million, which has helped ensure that people in Pakistan, and earlier this year in Haiti, were given the type of emergency support that saves lives.”
“In the immediate aftermath of the flooding I have asked that the volunteers of our Rapid Response Corps be placed on stand-by for immediate deployment if required. These dedicated men and women remain on alert as the disaster continues to unfold.”
“Officials in my Department remain in close contact with the United Nations, the International Red Cross and Irish Aid Agencies on the ground and we are constantly reviewing our response to the situation on the ground.”
“A number of Irish Agencies have opened special emergency funds – Trocaire is already utilising €200,000 it received from the Government to respond to such devastation and is supporting hundreds of people at the heart of this disaster zone.”
“The devastation we are seeing each day and night in our newspapers and on television shows that this catastrophe will impact on communities for months, if not years to come. We will work with our aid agencies to ensure Ireland plays its part in the continuing international response”, concluded Minister Martin.