Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 June 2018
100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the ten most sensitive recognised disaster areas globally to which the international community have promised or are delivering aid and which have received support as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28347/18]
View answerThe scale and number of humanitarian crises globally continues to increase. The UN estimates that 134.1 million people are now in need of urgent humanitarian assistance and protection, mainly as a result of conflict but also natural disaster. The annual Global Humanitarian Overview, published by the UN system last week details the current financial requirements to respond to humanitarian needs in 2018. It estimates that $25.4 billion is needed this year to respond effectively to urgent humanitarian needs.
The ten largest appeals set out in this UN document are:
|
Country |
Financial Requirements |
% of appeal funded |
People in Need |
|
Syria |
$3.51 B |
27.1% |
13.1 M |
|
Yemen |
$2.96 B |
51.0% |
22.2 M |
|
South Sudan |
$1.72 B |
39.1% |
7.0 M |
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
$1.68 B |
17.8% |
13.1 M |
|
Ethiopia |
$1.62 B |
14.6% |
7.9 M |
|
Somalia |
$1.54 B |
33.1% |
5.4 M |
|
Nigeria |
$1.05 B |
45.8% |
7.7 M |
|
Sudan |
$1.01 B |
28.3% |
7.1 M |
|
Iraq |
$568.7 M |
49.7% |
8.7 M |
|
Afghanistan |
$546.6 M |
28.4% |
5.5m |
In 2017, despite some not insignificant shortfalls, the international community provided record levels of funding and humanitarian assistance, reaching tens of millions of people in need, more than ever before, saving millions of lives.
Ireland’s humanitarian assistance prioritises the most vulnerable and hard to reach people at risk from, or experiencing, disasters and emergencies. Ireland provided humanitarian assistance to each of these top ten appeals in 2017, and plans to continue doing so in 2018. In total, Irish humanitarian funding amounted to some €180 million in 2017 and a similar level of assistance is envisaged in 2018.
Humanitarian crises worldwide are monitored, with decisions on funding informed by an assessment of need which prioritises the allocation of humanitarian resources.
In partnership with the UN, EU, Red Cross and NGOs, every day Ireland helps save lives and rebuild the livelihoods of those who have endured disaster and crisis. For example, in 2017, humanitarian funding to Irish NGOs helped to save and improve the lives of over 1.5 million people affected by emergencies in 28 countries.
Ireland will continue to closely monitor humanitarian need worldwide and provide its humanitarian assistance on the basis of need to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most.
