MINISTER FOR TRADE and Development Joe Costello has announced the State will provide another €1 million in humanitarian aid for refugees fleeing from the crisis in Syria.

The funding will support United Nations agencies as they provide food, water, sanitation, protection and shelter to those escaping the escalating conflict.

The announcement comes as the UN confirms that the number of refugees from the conflict has passed the 2 million mark – with children making up half of that number.

“The recent announcement that one million Syrian children are now refugees is yet another stark reminder of the immense human suffering caused by this horrific civil war,” Costello said.

“To put this statistic into context, in Ireland this figure equates to almost every child under the age of eighteen being forced to flee their homes.

“These children have suffered terrible trauma and lost their homes. In addition, this generation of Syrian children is losing out on a normal education due to displacement.

This latest contribution brings Ireland’s total support for those affected by in Syria and neighbouring countries by the crisis to almost €11 million.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore will discuss the situation at a meeting of EU foreign ministers beginning on Friday in Lithuania. US Secretary of State John Kerry will also attend.

A statement from the Department says “Ireland fully supports efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis”.

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