An Irish-based charity working with orphanages in western Russia has opened an emergency bank account to accept donations for the victims of last week's massacre in Beslan.
As part of its appeal for support in helping those affected by the attack, the "To Russia With Love" charity has opened a bank account with Allied Irish Bank in Artane.
The charity says it has the support of the Irish Ambassador in Russia, Mr Justin Harman, and the Russian Ambassador in Ireland, Mr Vladimir Rakhmanin.
It says it plans to distribute the money raised between those based locally in Beslan and Doctor Rochelle, the head of the International Foundation for Children in Catastrophes and Wars in Russia.
People wishing to lend their support can make their donation to the To Russia With Love account in Allied Irish Bank Artane, sort code: 93-20-78, account no: 21221073.
The account will be open for two weeks.
Alternatively, donations can be sent to the To Russia With Love office at Seaview House, 192 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3.
So far 338 people, half of them children, have been confirmed dead after a two-day siege at a school in Beslan ended in bloodshed.
Meanwhile the Government today announced funding of €100,000 to the International Federation of Red the Cross (IFRC) in support of its appeal to assist families affected by the Beslan massacre.
The Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights, Mr Tom Kitt, said: "The Government and people of Ireland have been shocked and saddened by the horrific events in Beslan."
Mr Kitt said: "We have all been profoundly affected by the loss of so many innocent children and all who lost their lives in this tragedy."
He said: "We wish to assist the families of the victims and the survivors concerned".
Mr Kitt said the Government's funding was being pledged to the IFRC to enable the organisation to best respond to the immediate needs of the families at this most difficult time.
"Support will include assistance towards the provision of trauma counselling," he said.
The €100,000 is being disbursed from the emergency humanitarian assistance budget of Development Cooperation Ireland.