Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014
180. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total humanitarian aid provided to date for Syria and that region; the level of financial assistance being provided for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14212/14]
View answer182. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the failure of the international community to provide adequate humanitarian aid to Syria and that region was discussed at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council; the commitments made by the international community following Humanitarian Aid Pledging Conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14214/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 182 together.
The protracted and tragic crisis in Syria has resulted in unprecedented levels of humanitarian need, requiring a sustained response from the international community. As the number of fatalities reaches an estimated 140,000 people, there are now over 9 million people within Syria who are in need of immediate life-saving support, with a further 2.5 million Syrian refugees requiring assistance in neighbouring countries.
Ireland has been to the fore in the international efforts to help alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people and is one of the most generous contributors to the humanitarian response on a per capita basis. In view of the immense needs in Syria and neighbouring countries hosting Syrian refugees, I announced a pledge of a further €12 million in humanitarian assistance in 2014 at the Second International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria and the region in Kuwait on January 15th 2014. This additional pledge brings Ireland’s overall funding commitment over the period 2011 to 2014 to €26.011 million, of which €19 million has been disbursed to date. Funds have been provided to a range of established UN partners as well as to Irish NGOs.
Ireland has been consistent in its efforts to ensure that the necessary attention is given by the international community to this crisis, including at the at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels last week where discussions were focussed, in particular, on the humanitarian consequences of the conflict, both within Syria and in its neighbouring countries. Ireland has consistently matched our material humanitarian contribution with concrete support to international efforts to find a sustainable political solution to the crisis, and to advocate for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. We have called for all parties to the conflict to fully respect international humanitarian law and to refrain from the targeting of civilians. Ireland will continue to advocate at all relevant international fora for increased support to the humanitarian relief effort, as well as for the full and immediate implementation by all parties to the conflict of UN Security Council Resolution 2139 on humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people.
