Vol. 506 No. 5
102 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which he will support humanitarian measures in Kosovo, having particular regard to the emerging situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15701/99]
As the Deputy will be aware, the humanitarian situation in Kosovo is becoming clearer as access improves. A set of complex challenges face the international community in trying to take care of those Kosovar Albanians who remained behind, to manage the refugee return and plan for the harsh Balkan winter. In addition, the humanitarian agencies led by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees must ensure adequate protection for all vulnerable groups.
The immediate challenge over the coming months is to ensure the security and safety of the returning refugees and of the internally displaced people and to provide for basic needs such as shelter, water, food and health care whether in Kosovo, in the camps or with host families in the neighbouring countries. The international community is at the same time planning a major rehabilitation and reconstruction effort which will last for a number of years. Not only has much of the physical infrastructure been damaged or destroyed but the civil institutions necessary to any well-functioning society must be established and developed.
Ireland has responded to the Balkan crisis both at a bilateral level and through the European Union. So far grants totalling £2.6 million have been allocated in humanitarian assistance in the region. The Government is seeking Oireachtas approval for a total of £6 million to cover assistance to the region in 1999. A Supplementary Estimate to this effect has been considered and approved by the Foreign Affairs Committee and will go before the Dáil next week. This will enable Ireland to respond to the most recent appeals for funding of the UN and other agencies who have been charged by the international community with the protection of the refugees and internally displaced and with the delivery of humanitarian assistance. In addition a technical team from Irish Aid will travel to the region in the near future to monitor the funding already disbursed and to develop proposals for future assistance.
