IRELAND has pledged €6million to help people in earthquake-ravaged Myanmar.
Thousands are feared dead after a disastrous 7.7 magnitude quake rocked Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand.
Rescuers are scrambling to reach survivors after the seismic disaster downed buildings and bridges.
More than 1,000 people have been killed in worst-hit Myanmar, with the death toll expected to rise even further.
Tanaiste Simon Harris this afternoon announced Ireland will provide an initial €6 million in humanitarian assistance to the long troubled Asian country which was already in the grip of a bloody civil war.
Some €3million will support the work of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Myanmar Red Cross Society.
Another €1.5million is going to the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund managed by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, who support national organisations in humanitarian action across Myanmar.
Meanwhile, €1.5million has been given to the UN Refugee Agency Joint Response Plan responding to the urgent needs of displaced Rohingya people.
Announcing the funding, Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Harris said: “My thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones, the injured and the emergency responders.
“The destruction will place extraordinary pressure on many people already experiencing humanitarian need.
“Ireland stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and will provide immediate emergency humanitarian assistance.
“Funding from Ireland will support a locally led response and provide assistance to those most impacted by this disaster.”
IRELAND’S AID FOR MOST AFFECTED PEOPLE
Minister of State with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond spoke of his horror at the shocking images emerging from Myanmar.
Richmond said: “Ireland’s support will target people most affected by the earthquake.
“Emergency response teams from the Myanmar Red Cross have responded immediately to provide urgent care for people injured or looking for missing loved ones.
“Teams continue to assess the impact on people caught up in the earthquake.
“Ireland’s support will make a real and meaningful difference to people affected by this devastating disaster.”
Officials told how the new €6 million pot is in addition to the €2.4 million already provided to the IFRC by Ireland this year, which allows the Federation to respond immediately when a disaster strikes.
A Government official said: “Ireland is also the 9th largest donor to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, the world’s largest humanitarian fund, which has already provided €5million to the crisis.
“The EU has also provided €2.5million to the earthquake response in Myanmar.”
