Paul Connaughton
Question:26 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the findings of the Trócaire 2002 development review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14849/03]
Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.
Pádraic McCormack
Question:53 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the Trócaire development review 2002; his further views on the effect of the CAP on the developing world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14853/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 53 together.
I consider the 2002 Trócaire development review to be a thoughtful contribution to foreign policy discussion, especially regarding some of the issues which have arisen in the aftermath of the attacks on the US on 11 September 2001.
The articles in the Trócaire review on the relationship between international development objectives and the reform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy are particularly relevant in the context of the WTO ministerial meeting in September next in Cancún, Mexico, which is intended to effect a significant advance in the Doha Development Agenda. In my view the Trócaire analysis on the intersection between trade and development represents an important contribution to the debate on the trade negotiations under the Doha agenda.
I believe that coherence between trade and development policies is important if maximum effectiveness is to be achieved with the resources allocated to development co-operation. An increased share of world trade will greatly help developing countries to strengthen their economies and to lift themselves out of poverty.
The continued engagement of the NGOs on these issues and the research and analysis provided in the Trócaire review are important assets as we develop our response to this critical development challenge.
Emmet Stagg
Question:27 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that a full year requirement of food will be provided for Ethiopia by the international community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14772/03]
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:32 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia; the actions his Department is taking to assist agencies on the ground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14848/03]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 27 and 32 together.
The food emergency crisis in Ethiopia is deepening. When I visited Ethiopia in January last, it was estimated that 11.3 million people would need food assistance. On 24 April, the Government of Ethiopia appealed for an increase in food aid. This new appeal reflects the findings of a multi-agency assessment and it now appears that 12.6 million people are desperately food insecure.
Total food requirements for the year amount to approximately 1.54 million metric tonnes. At the moment it is estimated that there is a gap of over 300,000 metric tonnes between what is required between May and December and what is available. More than 80% of food needs are currently being met, but availability decreases dramatically from next September onwards. Thus it is essential that there is timely delivery of pledges to avoid a break in the food pipeline.
I visited Ethiopia in January last to see the situation at first hand. I held discussions with Prime Minister Meles, as well as key development actors such as the World Food Programme, WFP, the EU Commission and the NGO community. We discussed ways of effectively mobilising resources for the millions who will require food assistance in 2003.
On my return I wrote to my EU counterparts and called for a redoubling of efforts to tackle the crisis. I met with EU Commissioner Mr. Poul Nielson in February and we discussed the problems facing Ethiopia and ways of improving co-ordination among EU members in relation to the famine response. Mr. James Morris, executive director of the WFP, will visit Ireland in July. I hope to use this opportunity to raise the issue of food security in Ethiopia, and more widely in Africa, with him at that time.
To break the cyclical nature of food insecurity in Ethiopia, the structural problems affecting poverty and stability must be addressed. Ireland Aid is contributing to the long-term development of Ethiopia through its official programme of development co-operation with that country. The focus of this co-operation is poverty reduction, through the provision of basic needs and capacity building support. Food security needs are addressed as part of this programme.
The Government has allocated €3.7 million for emergency assistance to Ethiopia since the crisis emerged last year. These funds are being expended through development partners such as the WFP, Concern and GOAL. Additional funding is also being provided to NGOs in Ethiopia via the newly launched multi-annual programme scheme, MAPS, for NGOs.
A senior official from my Department is currently visiting Ethiopia and will brief me on the situation on his return. The Government stands ready to provide further humanitarian assistance as required.
Question No. 28 answered with Question No. 9.