Vol. 521 No. 3
102 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself at the speed with which international relief can be made available to those in need in strife torn areas throughout the world; the action, if any, being taken to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17033/00]
The speed with which the international community responds to emergency situations and provides relief to those in need has been tested on a number of occasions in the recent months. Flooding in Mozambique, drought in the Horn of Africa and landslides in Venezuela generated a rapid international response to assist those in crisis. The key to an effective and timely response by the international community to emergency situations is a co-ordinated and collective approach to the provision of assistance. A number of international humanitarian agencies exist which individually and working together facilitate a speedy response to disasters. These include UN agencies such as the UN High Commission for Refugees, the World Food Programme and UNICEF, the Red Cross Family and non-governmental organisations. These agencies have rapid response mechanisms in place.
As part of the reform programme of the UN, the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs – OCHA – was established in 1998. OCHA was mandated by the member states to mobilize and co-ordinate the collective efforts of the international community, in particular those of the UN system, to meet the needs of those suffering the effects of humanitarian emergencies. OCHA, with the strong support of donor countries, including Ireland, co-ordinates the overall response, identifies gaps, avoids duplication and unnecessary competition among aid agencies which, unfortunately, still occurs all too frequently.
OCHA has a number of mechanisms through which countries respond collectively to sudden onset emergencies. These include a resource base for UN disaster assessment and co-ordination, UNDAC, teams consisting of 140 skilled emergency managers from 32 countries and international organisations. UNDAC teams have trained together and are fully self-sufficient and available to be sent immediately to disaster situations.
OCHA also has a military and civil defence unit to ensure the most efficient use of military and civil defence assets in support of humanitarian emergencies. Military and civil defence assets can only be employed at the request, or with the consent of the receiving state.
