Ireland to give a further €2m in humanitarian aid to Lebanon and Sudan

Ahead of his speech to the UN, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said 3.7m people in Lebanon need humanitarian assistance now while, in Sudan, over 25m people face acute hunger

Residents displaced by violence shelter in tents in Masteri, west Darfur, Sudan. Speaking in New York, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the humanitarian crisis in Sudan is not getting the level of attention it ought to. File picture: Mustafa Younes/AP 

Ireland is to give a further €2m in humanitarian aid to both Sudan and Lebanon.

Speaking in New York, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that the humanitarian crisis in Sudan was not getting the level of attention that it should be. 

The country has been engulfed in a conflict that erupted in April last year and has killed thousands of people. In December, the UN Security Council voted to end the world body’s political mission in the country under pressure from the military leadership.

Tánaiste to address UN  

Mr Martin will address the UN later on Wednesday when he will call for an immediate ceasefire, warning of further dire consequences, including famine and widespread human rights abuses, if the conflict continues.

He said that, in Lebanon, an estimated 3.7m people are in need of humanitarian assistance while half the population of Sudan — over 25m people — are facing acute hunger. He said: 

I am deeply concerned by the recent declaration of famine in Darfur. There is no doubt that this famine is driven by the ongoing conflict. 

"Women and girls are enduring widespread sexual and gender based violence. This cannot continue."

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Simon Harris said that it was not too late for the situation in Lebanon to be de-escalated.

“There has been a shocking loss of life this week, but even at this stage it is not too late for all sides to step back from the brink.”

Gaza is in ruins and in desperate need of the world’s help. 

"Opening a second front in Lebanon would be a disaster, risking an all-out war with profound consequences for the region and the world.”

Mr Harris said that UN secretary general Antonio Guterres had given him a report on the situation in Lebanon, where Irish peacekeepers are based.

“Irish troops serving in Unifil are well trained and following all protocols," he said.  

"Their safety is paramount and the Secretary General assured me that conditions are under constant review and that Unifil is prepared for all eventualities. We agreed to stay in close touch as the situation evolves”