asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, further to his recent replies concerning another Irish contribution towards aid for refugees in Pakistan and India, he will make a statement on this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - India and Pakistan Aid.
16.
The Government propose to contribute a further sum of £100,000 towards international efforts for the relief of distress in India and Pakistan resulting from events in East Pakistan. This amount will bring the Government's total special contribution in the current financial year to £200,000.
I am pleased to hear about this extra contribution which is being made by the Government. As the world's contribution to refugee aid in Pakistan is less than 10 per cent of total required would the Minister consider seeking further help even through the United Nations?
What we can do seems very small compared with the enormous problem that exists and we shall do everything we can to improve the situation.
Has the Minister any information about what the big powers have given?
Less than 10 per cent of what is required has been contributed by the rest of the world.
Through the UN High Commissioner for refugees 180 million dollars and through another UN agency 88 million dollars were contributed during November. India estimates she will have to spend 558 million dollars on the refugees during the next six months.
Has there been any action at UN level to see about contributing more money?
We are contributing through the UN. The United Nations is functioning in this.
The Minister has stated we have given £100,000. Can he state if it was given to the Red Cross, the Indian Government or charitable organisations?
£20,000 has been given to the UN High Commissioner for refugees, £20,000 to UNICEF—the Children's Fund—£10,000 to the Irish Red Cross Society and £50,000 to the World Food Programme. That was the distribution of the last £100,000. A Supplementary Estimate will be introduced in the House.
Was an application for funds made by Africa Concern?
This type of contribution is made usually through the Red Cross and UN agencies.