Ireland’s Announcement of €2 Million Aid to Lebanon-What You Need to Know

Ireland's aid to Lebanon

Introduction

Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, attended the International Conference in Support of Lebanon and its People on Thursday, 24 October, in Paris. The said Conference, which was organised by the French President Emanuel Macron, gathered the highest officials worldwide in order to address international aid to Lebanon, notably relief aid, political interventions and the protection of Lebanese state institutions, including the Army.

Countries pledge for financial aid to Lebanon

Ireland’s Continued Support for Lebanon

Ireland’s Financial Commitment

At the Paris conference, an additional €2 million was announced by the Tánaiste Micheál Martin in aid to Lebanon, bringing Ireland’s total aid to more than €7 million by 2024. This support is also given because Ireland knows the difficulties that Lebanon has experienced and this is not the first time that Ireland is releasing such aid. 

For sure, the entire amount of €35 million has been given in aid to Lebanon since 2018 as well. The announced money would be directed primarily to the help of the Fund for Humanitarian Assistance in Lebanon due to the desperate state of the people in need.

YearFinancial Aid (€)Total Aid to Date (€)Fund Allocation
2018€35 million€35 millionGeneral aid
2024€2 million€7 millionLebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF)
Total€35 million€42 million
Ireland’s Financial Commitment to Lebanon

Use of the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF)

As they were established by the United Nations, the LFH has been designed as Lebanon’s recovery phase of nearly 200 million dollars with close to 40 percent of the funds already being distributed over time. This approach incorporates emergency responses like food provision, health services, temporary housing, and the protection of the displaced people by the national and international non-governmental organisations. 

Ireland’s aid to Lebanon will play a part, significantly, in covering such essential services in the remote areas to provide relief to the conflict stricken zones especially the affected populations.

Fund NameTotal Fund (USD)Percentage AllocatedUses
Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF)$200 million40%Food security, healthcare, emergency shelter, protection for displaced populations
Use of the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF)

The Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon

Scale of the Crisis

One of the compassionate difficulties that Lebanon is going through currently is probably the worst of the violent crises for the area. The conflict that has arisen between Israel and Hezbollah has compelled an estimate of more than 500,000 to 1,000,000 to leave their homes hence the appeal for help from the international sphere in order to assist them. Instances of civilian killings seem to be going up and several individuals are deprived of basic necessities such as food, water, and medical care.

Impact on Civilians

There has been an extremely violent and escalating conflict between Israel and Lebanon that resulted in too many people in Lebanon, about 1,600 as reported since the year 2023. 

The United Nations Office of Technical Assistance (UNTA) for the return of the Palestinian refugees stated in a report that “The Palestinians further increased the resisting behaviour, which could be exploited to cause further escalation of the conflict by Israel.” 

Hundreds of thousands of innocent people are fleeing for their lives while the more privileged are forced to go without basic necessities such as clean drinking water and sanitation.

Tánaiste’s Call for Action

Speaking on the issue, CTC, Micheal Martin, remarked that the situation was dire, condemned the violence which was still on and called for intensified aid to Lebanon for the humanitarian activities. He also called to support actions on the part of the global community, citing the massive destruction caused by bomb and land cases in highly populated areas.

Ireland's aid to Lebanon
Ireland’s aid to Lebanon; credits: RTE

Supporting Lebanese Institutions and Ceasefire Efforts

Strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF)

Other than assistance, Iceland and other nations appreciate the necessity of rebuilding the Lebanese government institutions, mainly the LAF. Ensuring law and order inside the country, the LAF is called upon to play an important role in the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which provides for the cessation and the preservation of peace in the southern part of Lebanon. 

InstitutionKey RoleIreland’s Support
Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF)Ensures internal stability, implements UN Resolution 1701, maintains peace in southern LebanonFinancial and political support to strengthen LAF
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)Maintains peace in Lebanon, ensures peacekeeper safetyAdvocates for protection and safety of peacekeepers
Ireland’s Support for Lebanese Institutions

The Tánaiste, Mr. Martin, of course, also has been reiterating the necessity of sending more foreign aid to Lebanon especially tailored for provision to the LAF for better execution of its mandated objective.

Diplomatic Calls for Ceasefire

In his intervention, Martin called for an immediate ceasefire and political resolution of the ongoing hostilities. Despite holding Israel responsible for the actions of Hezbollah, he also urged Israel to respect international rules in conduct of hostilities with emphasis on the protection of civilians. 

Ireland’s aid to Lebanon is considered another element in the larger international effort to promote the destabilisation of the region that has been engaged in the process of war-fighting and the use of force.

Expert UN observers have indicated their apprehensions on attacks on civilians from both sides. They are particularly troubled by the air strikes that target residential areas specifically in Lebanon.

In their statement, they have appealed for ‘an immediate break in fighting and rapid action by the UN Security Council to avoid any eruption of hostilities and prevention of displacement.’

An appeal has been made to global powers to make efforts for resolution of the regional conflict while cutting back on non-state peoples and occupation addresses.

The Role of UNIFIL and Peacekeeping

UNIFIL’s Mission in Lebanon

In advocating support, another main priority of the Irish government is their support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. UNIFIL has been considerably successful in maintaining a peaceful environment in Lebanon and Tánaiste Martin made it a must to advocate for the protection and safety of peacekeepers. Violence against the UNIFIL peacekeepers, he argued, is an illegal act and appreciates the fact that Israel cannot turn a blind eye to its troops who have come to provide security.

Conclusion

Ireland drilling out $2 million of its aid to Lebanon in the Paris meeting will be a great relief for aiding the human security crisis in the region. Ireland is committing itself to this task by availing numerous offices and addresses within that transformed country, to offer services that would alleviate the suffering of the war-wounded people and help in capacity building. As the world comes together to render their support to Syria, Ireland continues to help it achieve peace and stable conditions.

FAQs

1. What is Ireland’s recent contribution in aid to Lebanon?

Ireland recently pledged €2 million in aid to Lebanon, bringing the total to over €7 million for 2024.

2. How does Ireland’s aid to Lebanon support humanitarian efforts?

Ireland’s aid to Lebanon funds the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund, helping provide food, shelter, and healthcare to vulnerable populations.

3. What role does the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) play in receiving aid to Lebanon?

Ireland’s aid to Lebanon also strengthens the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to maintain internal stability and peace in conflict areas.

4. How much aid to Lebanon has Ireland provided since 2018?

Ireland has contributed over €35 million in aid to Lebanon since 2018, focusing on humanitarian relief and institution building.

5. Which international fund benefits from Ireland’s aid to Lebanon?

Ireland’s aid to Lebanon is channeled through the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF), a UN initiative supporting essential services.

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