asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to reports of widespread starvation in Zimbabwe; and if the Government would be prepared to join in a relief operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Zimbabwe Starvation Reports.
7.
The repatriation and resettlement of some 660,000 refugees and displaced persons undoubtedly presents the newly independent Zimbabwe with a quite considerable task, particularly with regard to the provision of food, until these people can become re-established and can achieve a certain measure of self-reliance in food production. This situation is, of course, not helped by the effects of war and two years of drought on agricultural output in Zimbabwe. While, therefore, it is likely that serious food shortages will exist in the short term and international assistance will be required to overcome these, reports of widespread starvation in Zimbabwe have not been vertified.
The new Government of Zimbabwe have requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to co-ordinate the repatriation and resettlement of refugees and displaced persons. A programme of immediate relief is now under way, in conjunction with the local authorities. The UNFAO World Food Programme has responsibility for evaluating food supply needs in the country.
Response to the international appeal launched in April this year by the UNHCR has been extremely positive and a significant proportion of the identified needs in the immediate term have been met. A Community contribution of some IR £5.4 million in the from of emergency financial aid is currently under consideration and a decision is expected in the near future. 250 tonnes of dried skimmed milk in the form of food aid is also proposed. No decision has as yet been taken on our part on the nature and size of any bilateral assistance to Zimbabwe but this is under consideration at present, and I hope to make an announcement in the near future.
Is the Minister aware of a newspaper article which appeared in The Irish Times on 22 May which indicated that four out of five of the citizens of the rural parts of that country face starvation within the next few months? In the light of that, would the Minister feel that there should be a sense of urgency on the part of this country and on the part of the EEC in giving a lead in aid operations?
There will be a Community decision in the very near future on emergency financial aid to Zimbabwe and I hope to make an announcement of bilateral aid from us as well.
I would encourage the Minister in the bilateral part. In regard to the EEC part, I suggest to the Minister that the figure of £5.4 million on the part of the Community seems very much like a drop in the ocean.
That is just a start.
Is the decision of a bilateral response from this country somehow or other conditional on what action the Community of Nine take? If that is not the case, could the Minister indicate when he is going to make up his mind as to what will be given to Zimbabwe and whether it will take the form of aid in kind or in cash?
The latter part of the Deputy's question is being considered at present. There will be a very early result in regard to those two matters on the part of both the EEC and Ireland.
In addition to the £5.4 million from the Community mentioned by the Minister, surely there is a very heavy contribution from Britain. Could he tell us what it is?
I have no information as to what the British amount is. There is a British commitment. Arising out of the conclusion of the independent agreement with Zimbabwe, there is a commitment by Britain written into that agreement.
Does the Minister know the amount?
Is it £75 million?
It is greater than that.