Government ups tsunami aid contribution to €10m

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has today announced that the Government is increasing its humanitarian assistance contribution for the Asian countries devastated by the St Stephen’s Day tsunami to a total of €10m.

The initial contribution was €2m, but the Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan today said there would be another donation of €1m to support the work of the World Food Programme.

The further extension of €7m in relief funds makes Ireland one of the most generous per capita contributors to the aid effort.

Mr Ahern said that: “No lives should be lost because of inadequate or insufficient assistance.”

He continued to say that the rebuilding of lives and livelihoods in the recovery and reconstruction phase will take a considerable amount of time and that Ireland also “stands ready to help with this longer term effort".