Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
222. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the support and assistance provided to the citizens of Gaza and the West Bank due to the conflict in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15218/25]
View answerIreland condemns the resumed Israeli airstrikes and a new ground operation, bringing fresh suffering to the people of Gaza. We have provided over €84 million in support for the Palestinian people since the beginning of 2023, including €58 million in core support to UNRWA. €72 million of this total support has been provided since October 2023.
Our most recent contribution, in February, of €20 million in core funding to UNRWA contributed to the humanitarian surge under the cease fire. Since February, UNRWA has opened 130 temporary schools, provided psychological support to over 300,000 children, and 16,000 health consultations per day. During the ceasefire, our funds also supported UNRWA to deliver food parcels across Gaza, and shelter material for more than half a million people. In the West Bank, UNRWA continues to run schools and clinics where it can.
Another key partner is the UN’s Humanitarian Fund in the Occupied Palestinian Territories to which Ireland has provided over €6 million since 2023, including €1.1 million last month. The Fund supports a timely, coordinated and principled humanitarian response through grants for humanitarian agencies to assist the most vulnerable communities and people, and to provide them with urgently needed support.
Further humanitarian assistance has been provided through other agencies including the World Food Programme and the Red Cross. We have supplied over 116 tonnes of relief goods through our Rapid Response Initiative.
We also provide additional support under Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership for a Better World with over €2.5 million allocated since 2023 to Irish NGOs for their activities across Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
We continue to urge all parties to return to talks aimed at implementing the second phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal, resume humanitarian aid into Gaza, protect aid workers and stress that attacks on UN facilities are a violation of International Humanitarian Law.
