asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of the aid initiatives recently taken by the EC in Kampuchea; and whether Ireland will take a more active role in humanitarian aid for Kampuchea.
Written Answers. - Aid for Kampuchea.
74.
I am not aware of any new initiative on the part of the European Community concerning aid to Kampuchea. The Community provides humanitarian assistance and food aid to Kampuchea and Kampuchean refugees.
The assistance provided by the Community is channelled through nongovernmental organisations (NGOs). So far in 1988, 2.1 million ECUs (over £1.6 million) has been provided by the Community for a number of humanitarian projects organised by NGOs in Kampuchea (including Trócaire). Food aid in the form of dried vegetables and fish worth 2.7 million ECUs (over £2 million) has also been provided to the UN organisation (UNBRO) for Kampuchean refugees in camps in Thailand. In 1987 total Community assistance to Kampuchea and its refugees was 5,097 million ECUs (£3.95 million). Kampuchea is eligible to receive emergency assistance from the Community, and benefited from this in earlier years.
I am satisfied that the humanitarian assistance being extended by the Community is what is appropriate in present circumstances. I do not think that specific action by Ireland is necessary at present.