Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 December 2016
132. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the drought situation in Somalia; the efforts being made at an EU level to assist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39267/16]
View answerI am very concerned at the increasingly serious drought situation in Somalia, and its impact on vulnerable communities across the country. I discussed the political and humanitarian situation in Somalia during my visit to Kenya last week. Five million people are now food insecure throughout the country, with over a million facing crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity. This is a 20% increase since early 2016. Food prices are rising, and poor rainfall in southern and central Somalia has led to a dramatic reduction in cereal production. The severe food and nutrition situation particularly affects the estimated 1.1 million internally displaced persons, who are highly vulnerable to disease outbreaks and exploitation.
The EU is responding to the crisis through a range of measures. In December 2015, €17.5 million was allocated to Somalia through an EU package to respond to the effects of El Niño in the Greater Horn of Africa. This contribution was directed to addressing the effects of drought, primarily in Puntland and Somaliland. In October 2016, the European Trust Fund for Africa allocated a further €8 million to Somalia to respond to the effects of El Niño, including drought.
The European Commission has provided €29 million in humanitarian assistance to Somalia under the EU’s 2016 Horn of Africa Humanitarian Implementation Plan. This also supports communities coping with the effects of drought, including by providing livelihood and food assistance, and access to safe water. Somalia also benefits from longer-term development funding from the European Development Fund, with a focus on building resilience and long-term food security.
Ireland is also responding directly. We have provided €5.93 million in humanitarian assistance through UN agencies and NGOs in Somalia so far in 2016. We are also providing longer-term development funding of €1 million, through the NGO Concern Worldwide to address disaster prevention and preparedness, and rural development.
