AN EXTRA €1 MILLION in Irish aid is to be given to help Syrian refugees who have fled to Turkey.
Over 400,000 Syrians have so far crossed the border into Turkey to escape the violence of the Assad regime that has killed more than 70,000 people over the past two years.
Since January, there was a surge of 28 per cent of Syrians fleeing to Turkey, leaving the Turkish Government and aid agencies struggling to cope with the increase in demand for assistance.
Today’s additional contribution of €500,000 each to the International Federation of the Red Cross and the UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, brings Ireland’s total response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria to €8.15 million.
The Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore made the aid announcement this morning during a four-day trade mission to Turkey.
Speaking in Nizip, the Tánaiste reiterated Ireland’s strong support for international efforts to respond to the crisis:
With the dramatic increase in the numbers of Syrians seeking refuge in Turkey in recent months, supporting the country in its humanitarian efforts is crucial if the critical needs of Syrians are to be met.
He will travel to Ankara later today for a series of high-level political meetings with Enterprise Ireland client companies and other trade-related events.
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