Ireland commits to €42 million in assistance to the people of Palestine in 2026

Ireland will provide €42 million in assistance to the people of Palestine in 2026, an increase from the €36 million it supplied in 2025, with €20 million earmarked as core funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. The package also includes €2 million for the Egyptian and Palestinian Red Crescent Societies and further sums to be allocated across the year in response to need.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee announced the funding while at the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza during a visit to the region. McEntee said that the assistance will be primarily delivered through UN partners, particularly UNRWA.

McEntee warned that conditions in Gaza and the West Bank remain dire and that humanitarian needs are enormous. She said "The humanitarian and human rights situation across Gaza and the West Bank remains incredibly stark" and added "This funding from Ireland will help to provide food, shelter, water, sanitation, health and education for people across Palestine" in remarks made during the visit.

The minister also highlighted risks to civilians and to humanitarian operations. She said "Children are dying from malnutrition, while hundreds of thousands of people are living in tents or damaged buildings at risk of collapse" and warned that overcrowding, poor weather and lack of clean water make the threat of disease very high. These comments come as RTE and other outlets report ongoing violations and fatalities since the ceasefire was agreed late last year.

Ireland also signalled political concern about steps that would impede aid. McEntee reiterated her condemnation, made with six other European foreign ministers, of legislation that would cut water, electricity and communications to UNRWA facilities and she called for UNRWA operations to be facilitated in line with findings of the International Court of Justice. The minister described UNRWA as a lifeline that must be central to any response to urgent Palestinian needs.

Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond said the announcement shows Ireland will continue to be a steady donor. He said "Today’s funding will bring Ireland’s support to the people in Palestine since January 2023 to €144 million by end 2026" and argued that other international donors must increase support.

The government statement breaks down the new commitment with a clear emphasis on multilateral partners. It underlines that €20 million will go to UNRWA to support vital services for Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank and across the region and that the remainder will be distributed during 2026 according to assessed needs.

Humanitarian groups and diplomats have repeatedly warned that even after the ceasefire movement and returns have begun, relief access and reconstruction needs far outstrip funding so far pledged by the international community. 

Irish officials say the new funding is part of a wider diplomatic effort that includes visits to neighbouring countries hosting refugees and discussions with partner organisations in Jordan and Egypt. The government noted that practical, on the ground assessments during these visits help shape its allocations for the year ahead.

Ireland’s announcement places it among a group of European donors prioritising core funding for UN agencies as the agency faces political and operational pressures.