Government announces €21.5m funding for UN humanitarian work
The government has announced that € 21.5 million will be sent to the United Nations for humanitarian purposes.
The announcement was made by the Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, this morning.
The funding supports rapid responses to humanitarian crises worldwide and comes amid an alarming rise in humanitarian needs, with over 305 million people currently requiring assistance.
Neale Richmond announced the funding on Tuesday. Pic: PA Images
It is broken down into two contributions: €16 million to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for 2026, and an additional €5.5 million to the CERF Climate Action Account.
It comes amid a stark rise in global needs, with over 305 million people currently requiring humanitarian assistance.
Minister Richmond stated: ‘This funding from Ireland will support the UN to respond quickly and effectively when communities are plunged into crisis.
€ 16 million will go to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund for 2026. Pic: Celal Gunes /Anadolu via Getty Images)
‘An unprecedented number of people around the world are facing a humanitarian crisis, from high-profile conflicts in Sudan and Gaza through to people displaced by climate-related disasters.
Ireland is the seventh largest donor to the UN Central Emergency Fund.
‘Its focus on underfunded and neglected crises across the globe, its ability to respond rapidly within hours to an emergency, and its lead role on Anticipatory Action and climate smart humanitarian response strongly put CERF at the centre of the humanitarian system.’
Over 305million people currently require humanitarian assistance. Pic: Khames Alrefi/Anadolu via Getty Images
CERF is the UN’s primary rapid-response mechanism for addressing major humanitarian crises.
Over the last 20 years, it has saved many lives and significantly improved the collective humanitarian response.
It also has continued to support underfunded and neglected crises across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The fund is managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Ireland’s most significant humanitarian partner.
Ireland has provided over € 270 million to CERF since the fund’s establishment in 2006 and is currently its seventh-largest donor.
