Minister Brophy announces dedicated Ukraine crisis civil society fund

The Minister for Overseas Development Aid and the Diaspora, Colm Brophy, T.D., has launched a call for proposals for Irish-based international NGOs to avail of Irish Aid funding, as part of Ireland’s overall €20 million package to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

Inviting proposals for funding, Minister Brophy said:

“The humanitarian situation in Ukraine is stark. Over 10 million people, one quarter of Ukraine’s population, have been forced to flee their homes in only three weeks.

In what are dark days on our continent, the solidarity and humanity of the response to the suffering of the people of Ukraine is a reminder that there are brighter days ahead.

With a €20 million humanitarian package in place, Irish Aid has been playing its part within the wider Government of Ireland response to the crisis, working with our global partners operating on the ground in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries to help meet the needs of those most affected by the conflict.

I am conscious of the very many Irish people who have given generously to Irish and other humanitarian organisations with decades of experience responding to the needs of those in similar crises, many of whom are longstanding Irish Aid partners. To enable these organisations to respond to the situation in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries, and to encourage them to work with local partner organisations, I am inviting Irish-based NGOs with a demonstrated humanitarian capacity, and proven expertise, to apply for dedicated funding. I have allocated an initial €2 million to this fund.”

A dedicated civil society fund of €2 million will support Irish-based international NGOs responding to the crisis to deliver critical, life-saving assistance to those who need it most, either directly or through partnerships with civil society organisations on the ground.

Alongside this funding to NGO partners, Ireland is providing support to a range of longstanding humanitarian partners active on the ground in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, including the Red Cross family and UN organisations.

€6 million is allocated to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), to support the critical role they are playing in the response. The ICRC is operating in active conflict areas, negotiating humanitarian access and safe passage, repairing critical infrastructure and ensuring the availability of life-saving care. IFRC’s network of national Red Cross societies has already reached more than 800,000 people in need providing shelter, food and health services.

UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, has received €5 million, to meet the needs of those forced to flee their homes. This will assist those displaced within Ukraine and, also, those who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries. This includes €1 million to both Poland and Moldova, in recognition of the severe strain placed on those countries by the large number of refugees they are hosting.

Irish Aid funding of €3 million to UNOCHA is supporting a broad partnership local and international NGOs to work on the ground in Ukraine.

€4 million in Irish Aid support is enabling WHO, UNFPA, and UNICEF to protect and assist vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, elderly persons, and persons with disabilities, receive protection and assistance including vital medical care, whether they choose to remain or leave Ukraine.

In addition to direct funding, Irish Aid’s prepositioned, flexible humanitarian funding has enabled key agencies to respond immediately to emerging and urgent needs in Ukraine and the region. The agencies included WHO, OCHA, UNHCR, IFRC, ICRC and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). The CERF has allocated €55 million to the humanitarian response in Ukraine so far. Irish Aid is among the top ten donors to the CERF.