The Government is to send a €300,000 aid package to the Philippines in response to the recent typhoon that killed up to 1,000 people.
Typhoon Durian was the fourth to strike the Philippines in as many months and has left more than 66,000 homeless in central and northern parts of the country. Some 9,000 families are already in emergency shelters.
The funding will support the International Federation of the Red Cross for its local response through the Philippines Red Cross Society.
Minister of State for Development Co-operation and Human Rights Conor Lenihan said: "I want Ireland to respond quickly to assist agencies engaged in vital relief work taking place on the ground.
"Local communities are responding exceptionally well, but in a hugely challenging environment," he added. "Irish aid funds will help them by providing for immediate needs including basic healthcare, shelter, food and water."
Many people are still buried under mudslides, and local communities are struggling to free those trapped.
The typhoon caused widespread flooding and mudslides, and relief efforts are being made more difficult due to access routes blocked by debris. Many affected provinces are still without power.