merrion street

On the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, which killed more than 230,000 people, Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello, T.D., has confirmed that the Government has delivered 90% of the funding pledged by Ireland in response to the disaster.

Minister Costello said that €11.5 million of the €13 million pledged by the Government for the period 2010 to 2012 has been provided to assist families to access clean water, shelter and sanitation. The remaining €1.5 million in funding will be released in the early months of 2012.

"The Irish people have been unwavering in their support for the hundreds of thousands of victims of the massive earthquake in Haiti in 2010"

"Two years on, we know that the humanitarian situation in Haiti remains extremely fragile. An estimated 550,000 people are still displaced within the country, living in nearly 900 tented camps in Port-au-Prince and other earthquake-affected areas.

"Since 2010, we have made emergency funding available for the provision of clean water, shelter and sanitation for the affected population. To prioritise these efforts we have been working with a number of NGOs, including Concern, Goal, Plan, World Vision and Haven. Ireland also airlifted two shipments of emergency humanitarian supplies and deployed 18 members of the Rapid Response Corps.

"In terms of longer-term development, Irish Aid is currently funding Concern Worldwide and the missionary organisation Misean Cara for these organisations’ projects to build sustainable livelihoods and support education throughout the country.

"I will continue to work with other donors and the international community, led by the Interim Haiti Reconstruction Commission, to ensure that adequate progress is made in recovery and reconstruction while also addressing the immediate needs of the population."

Minister Costello said.