Trevor Sargent
Question:113 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will increase overseas aid to Afghanistan and Iraq where wars continue to affect the local populations. [12513/03]
Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.
On 25 March the Government responded comprehensively to the humanitarian situation in Iraq when the Minister of State with special responsibility for development co-operation and human rights, Deputy Kitt, announced an emergency package of assistance of €5 million.
Funding is being delivered through NGOs and agencies with long experience and capacity in bringing emergency assistance rapidly and effectively to those most in need. These organisations include Concern, Goal, Trócaire, the Red Cross family, UNICEF and the World Food Programme. The focus of Irish assistance is on the distribution of food, repair of water and sanitation systems, supplementary and therapeutic food for children and building the capacity of local partners.
In any emergency situation, good co-ordination is essential if the humanitarian intervention is to be effective. The purpose of co-ordination in Iraq is to ensure an efficient and needs driven emergency programme. Funding has therefore been provided to the UN office for the co-ordination of humanitarian affairs, UNOCHA, for assisting in the building of a strong, co-ordinated humanitarian effort facilitating access for aid workers and continuing to enhance information flow and interaction with donors and NGOs.
At the international conference on Afghanistan in January 2002, Ireland pledged €12 million over a three year period for recovery programmes in Afghanistan. Almost €7.4 million or just over 60% of this pledge has been delivered or approved for delivery within 16 months of the conference. Further recovery funding will be considered in the course of the next few months. Irish funding is focused on health, education, water, capacity building and governance.
Apart from recovery programmes, Ireland has also helped fund the immediate humanitarian needs of the Afghan people. In 2002 approximately €2.6 million was expended on meeting the emergency needs within Afghanistan and in the region. These funds were expended through Irish and international NGOs and through the United Nations specialised agencies, such as the World Food Programme and UNHCR.
Further assistance to Iraq and Afghanistan will be examined in conjunction with our implementing partners, in the light of the results of our assistance to date and of the humanitarian needs of the people.