Darragh O'Brien
Question:131. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39266/16]
View answerThursday, 8 December 2016
Questions (131)
Written answers
The Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the world’s poorest countries. It has experienced decades of violence since gaining independence in 1962. Violence in 2012 plunged the country into further instability and widespread conflict, and a major humanitarian crisis. The humanitarian situation across the country remains extremely serious. 2.3 million people, out of a population of 4.6 million, are in need of humanitarian assistance, 1.1 million of them children. Life expectancy in CAR is now just 50 years.
Over 380,000 people are internally displaced, with a further 450,000 having fled to neighbouring countries. Those displaced within CAR are in need of protection and access to basic services, with approximately 40% in temporary camps. Over 2 million people are facing an emergency food security situation. In rural areas, only 34% of the population has access to protected water points, while in urban areas only 22% of the population has access to a safe water supply network.
In response to these urgent humanitarian needs, Ireland has contributed over €19 million in humanitarian assistance since 2013 to ensure access to food, health, shelter, and water and sanitation services for those most affected. Assistance is channeled through Ireland’s UN and NGO partners who have a presence on the ground and capacity for responding to complex crises. In 2016 alone, Ireland has provided just over €6 million to the crisis in CAR. This includes support to NGO partners Concern, Oxfam Ireland, and Plan International Ireland which are providing education, livelihoods, water and sanitation, and protection programmes for displaced and host communities.
Ireland has also contributed to the work of UN agencies and in particular the Common Humanitarian Fund for CAR. Ireland is a strong supporter of such Country-Based Pooled Funds which allow for decisions to be made locally on the allocation of resources to respond most effectively to urgent needs. Ireland provides €3 annually to the Fund which supports sectors such as food security, protection, education and shelter for communities affected by the crisis.
Ireland also provided €2 million to the UNHCR in 2016 for its Regional Response Appeal for CAR which directs humanitarian support to refugees from CAR currently seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.
In addition, we work closely with our EU partners on the humanitarian situation. In additional to individual member State contributions, EU funding for the Central African Republic has amounted to €21 million so far this year.