Statement from the Tánaiste on loss of life among GOAL staff
- Published on: 9 February 2023
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has expressed his condolence to staff at aid agency GOAL following confirmation that 26 staff members were killed in Monday’s earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.
The Tánaiste said:
"I was deeply saddened to hear of the significant loss of life among GOAL staff as a result of Monday’s tragic earthquake. The GOAL staff members who lost their lives were carrying out vital humanitarian work to support the people of north-west Syria, who have suffered unimaginably over recent years.
"Humanitarian workers put their own lives at risk to support the most vulnerable people in the world. Too often, they pay the ultimate price. I want to offer my sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as to all the GOAL teams around the world for whom this will come as a devastating blow.
"The staff members who died dedicated their lives to supporting people in need of humanitarian care. Each of them leaves a legacy of kindness, compassion and humanity. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamnacha."