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The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney T.D., and the Minister for International Development and Diaspora, Colm Brophy T.D., today announced €1m in humanitarian funding to support the people of Afghanistan.

This funding will be provided to the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide urgent support to people in Afghanistan, as well as to those who have fled into neighbouring countries.

Minister Coveney said:

“I have approved €1 million to the UN High Commission for Refugees for the people of Afghanistan. The situation in the country is incredibly worrying. Even before the events of the last few weeks there were already almost three million Afghans displaced from their homes by insecurity. That figure is now rising.

“Ireland will continue to engage, including at the UN Security Council, to support peace in Afghanistan and to protect and promote the human rights of all Afghans, especially for women and girls. Ireland has also called for full and safe humanitarian access to allow life-saving support to reach all Afghans, including to respond to the urgent needs of families forced to flee their homes.”

Minister Brophy said:

“The UN estimates that nearly half of Afghanistan’s population are currently in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance. The situation is likely to worsen over the coming days and weeks as a result of the insecurity in the country. This funding will provide shelter and basic day-to-day needs for people in Afghanistan, as well as for Afghan refugees in neighbouring countries.

“Through Irish Aid, the Government has already provided €1m in humanitarian support to people in Afghanistan this year. Today’s announcement of a further €1m is in response to the unprecedented challenges facing Afghanistan.”

ENDS