id="_mcePaste">

class="MsoNormal">Ireland is pledging an extra €1.5 million in aid to tackle the humanitarian crisis in Syria.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">The decision was announced by Minister of State Joe Costello.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">The funding will provide essential shelter, food, medicine and basic household items to thousands of people still in Syria as well as those who have fled the conflict to seek refuge in neighbouring countries.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">The Minister is visiting the Za’atari refugee camp on the border with Syria.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">He met with men, women and children who recounted stories of the escalating conflict within Syria.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">In the last few days the numbers of refugees entering Jordan has increased drastically with over 6,000 arriving since yesterday.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">With reports of continued atrocities inside Syria it is expected that thousands more refugees will cross in the coming days.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">In response the Jordanian government has called on the international community to support the needs of the refugees.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">Speaking after his visit to the camp the Minister said “Syria and its neighbours are facing an enormous and growing humanitarian crisis as a result of the escalating violence within Syria”.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">“There are over 2.5 million people in need within the country and over 170,000 refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.  Lack of funds is the main factor hampering the humanitarian response”.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">“The funding I announced today will enable our UN partners and aid agencies to scale up their assistance to the millions of vulnerable Syrians whose lives are at risk due to the escalating conflict” he added.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">Following his visit to the camp the Minister also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Jordan H.E. Mr. Nasser S. Judeh.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">The two discussed the political situation in Syria as well as its humanitarian consequences.

class="MsoNormal">See more photos of the Za’atari refugee camp below:

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">