The generosity of people in Ireland towards the Ukrainian people, the impulse to help those in need, and the strong solidarity with Ukraine, is very welcome and is to be commended.
Building on the €10 million in Irish Aid funding already provided in humanitarian aid to partners already working on the ground, including Ukrainian civil society, the Taoiseach last weekend announced a further €10 million in Irish Aid funding in response to the humanitarian crisis. This is in addition to prepositioned Irish Aid funding, including the Red Cross movement, UNHCR, and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (to which Ireland is the eighth largest donor). Irish Aid is supporting Irish NGO efforts through the Emergency Response Fund Scheme (ERFS), designed to support timely and effective responses to sudden onset humanitarian crises. Medical supplies have also been sent from Ireland in coordination with the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
From a practical perspective, the most effective way to deliver relief supplies is through broad, streamlined, and coordinated efforts. People in Ireland who would like to assist are advised to send funds, rather than goods. This can be done through donating to established Irish and international humanitarian organisations. Dóchas, the umbrella organisation for Irish NGOs, has made available a list of entities which have launched Ukraine appeals. Their websites can be accessed at: www.dochas.ie/whats-new/ukraine-how-you-can-help/.
Additionally, the World Health Organisation has launched an emergency appeal for Ukraine, and this can be accessed here: who-emergency-appeal---ukraine-and-neighbouring-countries.pdf.
With regard to the question of tax relief, there is provision in Irish legislation for tax relief in respect of charitable donations to approved bodies. More information is available on the website of the Revenue Commissioners here: Charitable Donation Scheme (revenue.ie) More generally, tax policy is a matter for the Department of Finance.
