Ireland

Ireland joined UNHCR’s Executive Committee in 1996. Its apolitical support to refugee-producing countries is a great example of global solidarity and a practical commitment to the principles on which the UN is founded. During its two-year term on the UN Security Council in 2021-2022, Ireland demonstrated a strong and trusted voice for refugee and displacement issues.

Channelled through Irish Aid, funding from Ireland targets operations in:

• Africa (Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda)
• Asia (Afghanistan situation and Bangladesh)
• the Middle East (Jordan)
• the Americas (Venezuela situation)
• the Ukraine crisis.

Irish Aid funding also supports UNHCR’s programs in health, water and sanitation, prevention of and support to gender-based violence survivors, primary and vocational education, and livelihoods.

Ireland also gives UNHCR vital unearmarked funding that helps us to respond to emergencies and meet the needs of displaced people in forgotten operations. This type of funding is essential to kick-start emergency responses in the critical first weeks, providing humanitarian assistance to those who need it most.

Through Ireland’s emergency standby arrangement, UNHCR benefits from the country’s expertise in shelter, water and sanitation, health, child protection, community services and other important sectors. Irish experts travel to emergency locations and are integrated into UNHCR’s teams on the ground to bring much-needed assistance to refugees in emergency situations.