Ireland provided over €330m in humanitarian aid around the world 2025

The Irish government confirmed that a massive financial commitment helped alleviate suffering in some of the most devastated regions worldwide throughout 2025. This allocation of over €330 million represented a steadfast dedication to international solidarity and human rights during a challenging year.

Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin highlighted the impact of this funding as part of Ireland’s completed efforts to address the escalating needs caused by conflict and climate change. The resources were distributed through trusted partners such as the United Nations and the Red Cross to provide life-saving assistance in places like Gaza and Lebanon.

This significant contribution ensured that Ireland remained a leading voice in the international community in protecting the world’s most vulnerable citizens over the last twelve months.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee said of the contribution, "The last 12 months have seen an unprecedented level of humanitarian crises around the world. Ireland responded at scale to extreme levels of need in places affected by conflict, including Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"We also provided immediate emergency assistance to people affected by natural disasters, including the devastating earthquakes in Myanmar and Afghanistan, and climate-related disasters, most recently the flooding in Sri Lanka.

"Ireland’s continued commitment to humanitarian aid has allowed our partners to respond with rapid life-saving support to support people facing incredible hardship. It provides hope to people in their darkest hour and is an expression of Ireland’s values around the world."

In response to the disproportionate risks facing women and girls around the world, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, added, "2025 has been a year of immense hardship for millions of people around the world trapped in humanitarian crises. These crises have a particular impact on women and girls, who are at increased risk of violence and are denied basic rights such as education and access to critical medical care. We only need to look at Sudan, where women are being subjected to the most appalling levels of sexual violence, to see the risks facing women and girls in areas of conflict.

"Ireland has remained steadfast in its commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of women and girls everywhere. Our partnership with specialist agencies has made a difference in the lives of many women and girls in countries such as Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia. In 2026, we will be increasing our support for the protection of women and girls from sexual and gender based violence in emergencies."

Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond.

Ireland also funds the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), working to support the escalating needs of millions of refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced people in critically underfunded contexts, such as Afghanistan and Myanmar. With some 120 million people forcibly displaced in the world today, Ireland’s support is needed now more than ever.

The Global Humanitarian Overview for 2026 estimates that 239 million people will require humanitarian assistance. Ireland will continue to provide humanitarian aid to support the most vulnerable populations in the most severe humanitarian crises.