The Government has today approved €1 million in emergency funding for the Red Cross relief operation in Japan.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore said the decision followed an appeal yesterday by the Japanese Government for European Union assistance in responding to earthquake and tsunami.
The Japanese Red Cross has deployed 84 mobile medical teams with 735 staff members to the areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami. In addition to the financial donation, the Government has made available supplies of blankets, mattresses and water tanks through Irish Aid.
Mr Gilmore said the Ambassador to Japan John Neary and embassy staff have now accounted for all of the Irish citizens known to be living or working in the affected areas in Japan.
"Our embassy in Tokyo is continuing to provide assistance to citizens there and we are continuing to monitor the situation closely," he added.
The Embassy of Japan in Ireland has opened a book of condolences for the victims. It will be available at the Embassy’s premises at the Nutley Building, Merrion Centre in Dublin 4 until next Wednesday.
Galway City Council has also opened books of condolences at a number of locations in the city.
