Ahern leads trip to oversee Irish aid
Mr Ahern and the heads of Concern, GOAL, Trócaire and the Irish Red Cross plan to review the situation in Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
The visit further reflects the Government’s concern about the disaster in Asia, Mr Ahern said.
He is due in Brussels today for a meeting to discuss the EU’s response to the tragedy, particularly the health risks facing many hundreds of thousands in the region.
The minister and aid chiefs will meet with a government task force travelling to the region today to find out what Ireland can contribute to the international aid effort.
In addition, he will visit the Phuket area, where three Irish people, Lucy Coyle, Conor Keightley and Michael Murphy, are missing, feared dead. Two gardaí are in Thailand helping authorities search for the trio.
Mr Ahern will meet with consular officials co-ordinating help for Irish citizens affected. The number of Irish citizens on the medium risk list has dropped further and is now less than six. The Department of Foreign Affairs refused to say exactly how many are still on the list. A spokesman claimed the number is subject to change, though it has been dropping for days and no new names have been added.
One Cork family received good news at lunchtime yesterday when they received a postcard from a relative they had not heard from and who was last known to be in Phuket.
Gordon Deane said a family member received the card from his cousin Carl Humphreys. It was dated December 15 and stated he was on his way to the north of the country.
On the visit, Mr Ahern and the agency heads will hold discussions with UN and relief agency officials and with representatives of the three governments.
“The Government’s priority is to ensure that the resources committed by the Government and the people are targeted at those in greatest need. The importance of effective co-ordination of our joint efforts cannot be overstated,” he said.
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