Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.
Denis Naughten
Question:
12
Mr. Naughten
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the sum of money allocated since 1 January 2001 for natural disasters worldwide; the use made of this funding by the countries involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6296/01]
Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen): The Government remains deeply concerned about the compounded impact of natural disasters on vulnerable populations across the globe. When natural disasters strike, the consequences are particularly severe in developing countries where they can impede or reverse national development programmes. Already in 2001 we have seen the devastation caused by earthquakes in El Salvador and India. While sudden disasters receive significant media attention, there are many so called forgotten and ongoing disasters which continue to claim many lives.
Since 1 January this year, the Irish Government has allocated approximately £10 million in emergency humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance. This money will go towards rebuilding the lives of populations affected by disasters both natural and man made. In particular, Ireland has responded quickly and effectively to the earthquakes which occurred in January in El Salvador and India. Both these disasters have directly affected more than 35 million people. The high level of the Government's response so far this year reflects a desire by Ireland Aid to be more pro-active in its response while at the same time enabling more timely emergency interventions in the field. This allows Ireland to preemptively rather than reactively fund those emergencies which might otherwise remain inadequately supported.
The Irish Government's support to the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Irish non-Governmental organisations, Trócaire, Concern and GOAL in El Salvador will help approximately 10,000 families to recover from the impact of this disaster. This represents a total Ireland Aid response to the earthquakes in El Salvador of £753,000. The vulnerability of Central America to natural disasters, which have caused widespread devastation and misery to the people of the region, is also being taken into account. Ireland Aid is actively exploring how to support emergency preparedness and disaster mitigation activities in the region. For instance, since Hurricane Mitch struck Central America in late 1998 Ireland Aid has provided over IR£1 million per year in rehabilitation assistance including emergency preparedness programmes.
Following the devastating earthquake which hit Gujarat, India, on 26 January, the Irish Government took early action to support the immediate response and to provide emergency relief for the suffering population. A total of £1,050,000 in humanitarian assistance was granted to the International Federation of the Red Cross, Concern, Trocaire, GOAL, Edith Wilkins Hope Foundation, World Vision and Christian Aid. An independent professional review has been commissioned by Ireland Aid to evaluate the field effectiveness of the earthquake emergency responses it has funded. This will allow the Irish Government an opportunity to build on this experience to enhance our response to future disasters and will inform the ongoing Ireland Aid review.
It is often the case that the vulnerability of people to natural disasters is exacerbated by conflict and war. In Afghanistan, the population face numerous humanitarian problems including a severe drought, displacement and escalating poverty. A total of £953,000 has been allocated to Afghanistan in 2001 to address basic needs such as food security, health and sanitation with a further £1.07 million to address the ongoing conflict in Angola.
So far this year, the Irish Government has also responded to the regional drought in the Horn of Africa which has affected the lives of millions in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. These programmes represent expenditure of £750,000. Assistance has also been provided to address natural disasters in Mozambique, Tajikistan and Mongolia in the amount of £755,000.
The level of expenditure by the Government to natural and other disasters this year is testimony to its ongoing commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to areas of acute need, a commitment which will continue to be fundamental to the Ireland Aid programme as we work to achieve our commitment of 0.7% of GNP by 2007.
