merrion street

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney and the Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Ciarán Cannon, today reiterated Ireland’s support for those most affected by the ongoing crisis in Syria. At a conference in Brussels on ‘Supporting the future of Syria and the region’ today, Ireland pledged a further €25 million this year to help alleviate that suffering.

This brings Ireland’s total contribution to the humanitarian response for the Syria crisis to over €100 million since 2012.

Speaking ahead of the Brussels conference, the Tánaiste said:

“In 2018, we have witnessed the further deterioration of the dire humanitarian situation in Syria, an entirely man-made catastrophe. The continuing violence and suffering, including the reported chemical attack in Douma earlier this month, is simply appalling."

Condemning attacks on civilians and the blocking of humanitarian aid, the Tánaiste added:

“The scale of the challenges to be addressed is enormous: that is why Syria is the focus of the largest ever Irish response to a single crisis.”

Concluding he said that:

“Solidarity alone does not address the root causes of the Syrian crisis. A peaceful resolution to the Syria conflict is now imperative, and Ireland fully supports UN-led political negotiations.”

Minister Cannon, who yesterday became a Malala champion for education in conflict, said:

"The Syrian people and countries of the region have a mountain to climb to move beyond this terrible crisis. Ireland has committed to providing multi-year, predictable humanitarian support to Syria and the region. This will enable the partners with whom we work to plan and implement their critical programmes of assistance more effectively.”

Minister Cannon emphasised his personal commitment to addressing the education needs of children in conflict, noting that:

“access to education is essential if they are to have hope for a better future.”