THE IRISH GOVERNMENT HAS pledged an additional €2.5 million in support to the humanitarian and recovery effort in Mali as part of a €520 million aid package from the European Union.

The assistance package has been agreed by countries attending a major international donor conference on Mali in Brussels today.

The conference is being jointly hosted by the EU and the French government with more than 80 countries and international organisations involved.

The funding from Ireland is in addition to €1.8 million already allocated by Ireland for humanitarian assistance this year as well as an Irish military contingent which is taking part in a training mission in the northwest African country.

The money is to be used to rebuild government institutions and the military, and repair infrastructure damaged in battles with Islamist militants which led to a French-led military intervention earlier this year.

The intervention pushed the rebels into the north of the country but tens of thousands of Malians have sought refuge in neighbouring countries including Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Niger.

“Almost 750,000 people in Mali need immediate assistance if we are to avoid a further deepening of this humanitarian crisis,” Minister for Trade and Development Joe Costello said in a statement.

“The funding I am pledging today will support refugees and other civilians affected by the conflict and help communities rebuild their lives in the years ahead.

“Ireland is also committed to supporting international and domestic efforts to prepare for elections and to monitor human rights, working in close partnership with other donors and civil society.”

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