Ireland to to push for more EU relief aid

IRELAND will use its Presidency of the European Union to garner continuing support for relief efforts in southern Iran, development minister Tom Kitt promised yesterday.

Following a meeting with the Iranian Ambassador to Ireland, Seyed Hossein Mirfakhar, Minister Kitt said further funding, on top of the 1m already pledged, will be made available as the “critical needs of the people become clearer.”

Mr Kitt, Minister for Development Co-operation and Human Rights, said: “A co-ordinated international response will be needed to assist in the recovery and reconstruction and Ireland, holding the EU presidency, can play a key role in garnering the support of our EU partners,” said Mr Kitt.

Ambassador Mirfakhar said he was greatly touched by number of calls of support from people across the country.

Half of the E1m pledge is to be channelled through the Red Crescent with half through the United Nations.

Mr Kitt said the Government will use the charity Concern to assess needs on the ground ahead of any further funding pledges.