Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Micheál Martin, has announced that Ireland will be providing additional humanitarian aid to Lebanon and Sudan.
During the UN General Assembly High Level Week, the Tánaiste unveiled a new humanitarian aid package worth €2 million, equally divided between the two countries, with €1 million allocated to each. The funds will be channelled through the UNHCR, the United Nations’ refugee agency, to support its work in both Lebanon and Sudan.
So far in 2024, Ireland has contributed more than €10.5 million in aid to Sudan, with an additional €2.5 million going to assist Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries. The €1 million announced today brings the total support for Sudan this year to €14 million.
Lebanon, meanwhile, continues to host the highest number of refugees per capita and per square kilometre globally, with the Lebanese government estimating around 1.5 million Syrian refugees within its borders.
Since the conflict between Israel and Palestine began, over 110,000 people have been displaced due to ongoing clashes along Lebanon’s southern border. The UNHCR collaborates with the Lebanese government and various national and international partners to provide assistance and protection to refugees, host communities, and stateless individuals.
With the additional funding, Ireland’s humanitarian support to Lebanon in 2024 will exceed €5 million. Previous contributions have been directed to the UN’s Lebanon Humanitarian Fund and to Irish NGOs Trócaire and Concern.
The Tánaiste expressed particular concern about the situation in Sudan, especially the plight of women: “Women in Sudan are enduring widespread sexual and gender-based violence,” he said, adding that his aim was to “halt the atrocities” happening in the region.
“This additional humanitarian funding will support people in desperate need in both Sudan and Lebanon,” Martin said.
“There are an estimated 3.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in Lebanon, while the situation in Sudan remains dire, with half the population – over 25 million people – facing acute hunger.
“…I am deeply concerned by the recent declaration of famine in Darfur. There is no doubt that this famine is driven by the ongoing conflict. Women and girls are enduring widespread sexual and gender-based violence. This cannot continue.”
He also emphasised the global responsibility to ensure Sudan returns to a peaceful democratic transition: “Since the outbreak of the war in April 2023, Ireland has consistently emphasised the need to protect civilians, maintain humanitarian access, stop the fighting, and demand accountability.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs issued a statement highlighting that Ireland’s overseas humanitarian support “is at record levels.”
“Ireland invested a record €312 million in humanitarian relief globally in 2023 and will at least match this figure in 2024,” the department said.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin added that “the number of people in humanitarian need around the world has never been greater,” and that Ireland’s funding reflects “the country’s deep commitment to assisting people around the world in their moment of need.”