"2005 has been a particularly difficult year that has put enormous strain on the resources of the UNHCR.

"These additional resources will help the agency to better respond to the growing needs of refugees and displaced people for the remainder of this very difficult year," Ahern said in a statement.

The extra funding brings the total donated by Ireland to the UNHCR to 10.44 million euros this year.

Ahern said he was making the extra donation following a personal appeal by High Commissioner Antonio Guterres.

"Between the Tsunami disaster, the ongoing challenges in South Sudan, Darfur and Chad, and the recent earthquake disaster in Pakistan, the UNHCR has been stretched to its limits.

"In Pakistan alone, the agency is providing basic supplies to over 100,000 displaced people.

"These are the most vulnerable people, who have lost everything, we have a duty to help them try and get their lives back to normal," Ahern said.

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