Ireland is to increase its financial support for a variety of United Nations aid schemes by an average 44 per cent this year, the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ms Liz O'Donnell, said today.
Ms O’Donnell, who has special responsibility for overseas aid, said the sharp increase in funding meant a new strategic partnership between Ireland and the UN.
"Ireland will now become a top-15 donor to key development and humanitarian organisations in the UN.
"More than ever, we need properly funded and effective UN bodies to build peace and development and to actively work to reduce poverty," she said.
This year Ireland will contribute €8.89 million to the UN development programme (UNDP), €5.52 million to its children's fund (UNICEF) and €5.9 million to the UN refugee organisation (UNHCR).
"These increases are, on average, 44 per cent more than our 2001 funding level."
After a meeting in New York with Mr Mark Malloch Brown, UNDP administrator, Ms O'Donnell said Ireland would contribute €500,000 to the Interim Administration Fund as part of €12 million the country has pledged to the rebuilding of Afghanistan.
AFP