Minister of State for Overseas Development, Mr. Peter Power T.D., today pledged up to €500,000 to assist those affected by a series of natural disasters which have devastated parts of Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Outlining the Irish Government support, Minister Power said:

"I am shocked and saddened by the destruction caused by the recent natural disasters in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The earthquake which hit the island of Sumatra in Indonesia has caused huge devastation and tragic loss of life.

"Typhoon Ketsana, which brought torrential rains, has had a particularly devastating impact in parts of the Philippines and Vietnam, while the earthquake in the Pacific caused a destructive tsunami to hit American Samoa, Western Samoa and Tonga. 

 "The €500,000 that I have pledged today will support the international effort to assist the families worst affected by this devastating series of disasters. It will provide emergency supplies such as clean water, food, blankets and shelter to those whose lives have been thrown into turmoil.

 "As rescue and relief efforts are ongoing, it is not yet possible to say how many people have been affected by these terrible tragedies.  However, we do know that there have been hundreds of fatalities and that the death toll continues to mount. 

 "The pledge of €500,000 is in addition to Irish Government funding which was drawn down in the immediate aftermath of the disasters by the International Federation of the Red Cross. Ireland is among the international donors who provide pre-positioned funding to allow our partners on the ground respond in the hours after a disaster strikes.

 "The Red Cross’s swift response demonstrates the effectiveness of this pre-positioned funding in allowing us to reach those most in need in the shortest possible timeframe. Ireland committed €2 million to this disaster relief fund over the period 2008 to 2009 and this money is now being used to good effect in the Philippines, Vietnam and Samoa.

"Both my officials and I remain in close contact with our international partners to assess the level of need and to determine how Irish Aid can most effectively and appropriately respond in the days and weeks to come."

The funds will be disbursed through Irish Aid, the Government’s programme for overseas assistance, which is an integral part of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

For further information or to arrange an interview with Minister of State Peter Power, please contact Fionnuala Quinlan, press officer, Irish Aid, the Department of Foreign Affairs on 01-4082653 or 087-9099975

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Press Office

01 October 2009