IRELAND: Minister of State for Development Co-operation and Human Rights Conor Lenihan has pledged €10 million to the proposed new Central Emergency Response Fund of the United Nations.
The UN has operated an emergency fund for some time as a loan mechanism, but moves are under way to introduce a grants system instead and increase the value of the fund 10 times, from $50 million to $500 million.
The proposed Central Emergency Response Fund would be administered by the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, headed by Jan Egeland.
The Minister was speaking yesterday at a World Food Day Conference organised by Gorta, the Irish Freedom from Hunger Campaign. "Last weekend's earthquake in Pakistan served to remind us of the need to equip the United Nations system to respond quickly and comprehensively to major humanitarian emergencies," Mr Lenihan said. "My announcement today is a clear recognition of that, and it shows that Ireland is willing to play its part."
He added: "I think it is important to signal Ireland's support for the reform process, as a number of other major donors have done, including Sweden and the UK, by pledging substantial funding. The Taoiseach announced in New York in September that Ireland will be devoting more resources to humanitarian emergencies. Today's announcement is part of that commitment."