Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
366. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if foreign aid or assistance will be provided to the plight of the Moria refugee camp in Greece; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24923/20]
View answerI am deeply saddened by the fire at the Moria camp on Lesbos and the impact this has had on the refugees and migrants based at the camp. The very sudden displacement of thousands of people has caused great individual suffering and created a major humanitarian emergency. It is also posing a very serious logistical challenge for the Greek authorities in the midst of the COVID pandemic.
My colleague, the Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, spoke with his Greek counterpart on 9 September immediately after the fire to offer Ireland's full solidarity and support.
The Greek authorities requested assistance from EU Partners in dealing with the immediate humanitarian needs arising from the fire. My Department, through our Embassy in Athens, is in contact with the Greek Ministry of Migration Policy and has confirmed Ireland’s readiness to provide assistance from emergency stocks which we have in place at the UN Logistics Base in Brindisi, Italy. The Greek authorities have thanked us for this offer of assistance, and we stand ready to work with them regarding the deployment of the emergency supplies.
My officials are also looking actively at additional supports to help alleviate the situation in the Moria camp.
