Vol. 565 No. 1
121 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the resources at international and national level which have been deflected from the current humanitarian crisis affecting 30 million people in Africa due to the war in Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9842/03]
While estimates of the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Iraq cannot easily be made as the situation changes daily, it is clear that millions of innocent civilians are threatened by conflict, hunger and disease.
On 25 March, the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, announced that the sum of €5 million will be set aside to support the work of non-governmental agencies and international agencies as they respond to the unfolding crisis. We are quite clear however, that this will mean no diminution in funding for humanitarian emergencies in other parts of the world, especially the food security crisis in Africa. During a visit to Ethiopia last January, the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, made clear our view that the looming conflict in Iraq should not lead to any reduction in the international efforts being made to address the food crisis in the Horn of Africa and southern Africa. He called, for a redoubling of efforts to combat the emergency created by the current shortages in many parts of Africa.
The Government is working closely with its partners in the EU and the UN to ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable in Africa continue to be met. The Minister of State, Deputy Kitt has given priority attention to the crisis in the Horn of Africa and southern Africa. He has visited each of the regions and has met key figures, including representatives of the Governments concerned, the EU Commissioner with responsibility for development, the deputy executive director of the UN World Food Programme and the Secretary General of the International Federation of the Red Cross.
The key focus of the Governments official development assistance programme will continue to be on Africa. Ireland Aid is expected to deliver more than €140 million to Africa in 2003 in long-term development assistance. In addition, we are contributing very significant sums to a wide range of NGOs and other agencies involved in development activities on the continent.
