Power Cautiously Welcomes Burmese Concession On Aid Access

He said "While I welcome this development, it is long overdue in respect of this unfolding humanitarian disaster. It is 17 days since the cyclone struck and we should not still be talking about limited access. Ireland was one of the first countries to respond to this emergency. We have provided humanitarian supplies from our special emergency stockpile - those supplies have already been airlifted to Burma and are now being distributed to those in need. We have also ring-fenced €1million for our NGO partners as an initial response to this crisis."

Commenting on the recent earthquake in China, Minister Power announced that in addition to Ireland's pledge of €1 million for the Chinese Red Cross, Ireland would be providing humanitarian supplies from its stockpiles in a special airlift for the City of Chengdu - one of the worst affected areas in Sichuan Province.

"In response to a request from the Chinese Government I am pleased to announce that the Government will be sending tents and blankets from our humanitarian stockpiles in Brindisi, Italy. Theses stocks are being airlifted with similar stocks of relief supplies held by Norway, Malta and Austria in a joint U.N. / E.U relief effort. 

These supplies will be put to immediate use by people who have lost their homes and are in desperate need of shelter."