PRESS RELEASE
UNICEF Ireland welcomes €100,000 donation from Permanent TSB to support children and families affected by Türkiye and Syria earthquakes
With aid efforts at critical stage, more Irish companies urged to provide financial support
DUBLIN, 03 March 2023 – UNICEF Ireland is delighted to announce a generous donation of 100,000 euros from Permanent TSB towards UNICEF’s earthquake emergency response efforts in Türkiye and Syria.
Following two devastating earthquakes, and more than 1,600 aftershocks, hit Türkiye and Syria, UNICEF estimates that millions of children remain in need of urgent humanitarian support and UNICEF Ireland Executive Director Peter Power urged more Irish companies to provide financial support to assist aid efforts in the region.
Permanent TSB’s significant donation will enable UNICEF to provide critical support to affected children and their families, with UNICEF teams on the ground working to distribute essential supplies such as critical health supplies, blankets, clothing, and safe drinking water and sanitation supplies, as well as continuing to provide safe spaces for children to play and recover from the traumatic events they have witnessed.
The impact of the earthquakes on the region’s children and families has been catastrophic, leaving hundreds of thousands in desperate conditions and the funds have come at a vital time according to UNICEF Ireland Executive Director Peter Power, “The children and families of Türkiye and Syria are facing unimaginable hardship in the aftermath of these devastating earthquakes. Thanks to corporate supporters, such as Permanent TSB, UNICEF teams are working around the clock to ensure that children receive life-saving humanitarian support, including tarpaulins, warm clothing, water purification tablets, medical supplies, and especially psychological support for children who have been traumatised. We are very grateful to Permanent TSB, and all our corporate donors, for helping us to be there for children, and we urge other businesses in Ireland to follow their example and support our emergency response efforts. Together, we can ensure that children affected by the earthquake receive the support they need, not only now, but over the long term.”
Speaking about the donation, Eamonn Crowley, CEO of Permanent TSB said: “We are deeply shocked by the dreadful devastation brought by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. Our sympathy goes out to all of those affected and we consider it our humanitarian responsibility to help in whatever way we can. Our donation to UNICEF Ireland allows us to partner with one of the world’s leading humanitarian agencies and support their efforts to help children and families. This is a critical time in terms of the humanitarian effort, and we believe the corporate sector in Ireland has an opportunity to be at the forefront of the global response through commitments of this kind with generosity and speed to help alleviate the suffering there.”
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Notes to editors:
- The number of children killed and injured during the quakes and their aftermath has not yet been confirmed but is likely to be in the many thousands. The official total death toll has now passed 50,000.
- UNICEF teams on the ground have been working with partners to distribute essential supplies such as critical health supplies, blankets, clothing, and safe drinking water and sanitation supplies, as well as continuing to provide safe spaces for children to play and recover from the traumatic events they have witnessed.
- Multimedia materials available here: https://weshare.unicef.org/Package/2AMZIFQ2X3YU
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
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Contacts
Danny Smits, UNICEF Ireland, +353871308070, danny@unicef.ie
