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Human Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Questions (402)

Neale Richmond

Question:

402. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of supports provided to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19139/20]

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Written answers

Yemen is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with over 24 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. The spread of COVID-19 in the country could be catastrophic. 

Ireland has provided more than €5 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen in 2020, bringing the total since 2015 to €27 million. Our 2020 contribution was provided to the UN's Country Based Pooled fund for Yemen - a collective fund which combines donors contributions, assesses where needs are greatest, and directs funding to NGOs and UN agencies who are best placed to deliver lifesaving assistance to the most vulnerable. 

As well as this direct funding to Yemen, Ireland also provides further funding at the global level including core funding to UNHCR, the ICRC, and the World Food Programme. 

Ireland is a strong supporter of UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), and is one of the top ten contributors to the CERF since its establishment in 2006. From 2019-2020 an Irish official from the Department Chaired the Advisory Group of the CERF, and encouraged use of the Fund to address the most severe humanitarian crises, including Yemen. The CERF allocated $32 million in funding to Yemen in 2019. 

As a Member State of the EU Ireland also contributes to the EU response - the EU has allocated €484 million in humanitarian aid since 2015. 

The roots of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen lies in conflict. Ireland and the EU fully support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, to bring about a political resolution to the conflict. Ireland continues to call on all parties to the conflict to engage seriously with the Special Envoy's efforts and to ensure full, secure and unimpeded access for humanitarian and health workers and supplies to all parts of Yemen, to allow lifesaving assistance to reach those in greatest need.

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