The Government has pledged an additional €5 million to aid the earthquake relief operation in northern Pakistan, it was announced today.
Minister of State for Development Co-operation and Human Rights, Conor Lenihan, today made the announcement to double Ireland's contribution to the natural disaster during a visit to the affected regions.
The October quake, which measured 7.6 on the Richter Scale, has so far killed 86,000 people and left 3.5 million people homeless.
Former taoiseach Albert Reynolds recommended an allocation of extra aid to Pakistan in a report he compiled for the Government after attending the recent Reconstruction Conference in Islamabad.
Mr Lenihan today pledged €2 million to be dispersed immediately and a further €3 million which will be available in the New Year. He assessed progress in the relief and rehabilitation efforts in areas like Bagh and Muzaffarabad.
He also met agencies responding to the disaster, including the government of Pakistan, UN and Red Cross partners and Non-Governmental Organisations, including Concern, Goal and Trocaire.
Within a few hours of the earthquake the Government had pledged €1 million towards immediate relief efforts in northern Pakistan and the surrounding regions.
As the casualty figures rose dramatically, Ireland's contribution was increased to €5 million euro, placing Ireland as one of the highest donors to the disaster on a per capita basis.
The UN has estimated that a total of €3.5 billion is needed to provide relief to the earthquake-affected regions.
PA