Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020
110. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps Ireland and the EU have taken to address the ongoing instability in Yemen; his plans to increase Irish Aid funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28460/20]
View answerYemen remains the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, driven by conflict, economic collapse and the breakdown of public institutions and services.
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 in Yemen. In particular, I welcome efforts made towards a Joint Declaration between the Government of Yemen and the Houthis which would commit the parties to a nationwide ceasefire, bring forward a number of economic and humanitarian measures, and resume a political process.
We note the recent announcement on prisoner exchange, which is an important confidence building step. However, despite the Special Envoy’s efforts over the last months, agreement has still not been reached, and we encourage all parties to the conflict to redouble efforts towards securing a ceasefire.
Ireland is deeply concerned by the level of humanitarian suffering in Yemen, and has provided over €27 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen since 2015, including €5 million in 2020. As a member of the EU, Ireland also contributes to the EU response to the crisis in Yemen. Since the beginning of the conflict in 2015, the EU has allocated €484 million in humanitarian aid.
We also remain deeply concerned at the ongoing conduct of the conflict. The recent report of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen highlights a consistent record of violations of IHL and human rights law. We condemn the indiscriminate attacks by the Houthis, including against Saudi Arabia. We continue to call on all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under International Humanitarian Law.
Ireland calls again on the parties to the conflict to continue their engagement with the Special Envoy with a view to agreeing a declaration and ceasefire that will be in the best interests of the people of Yemen.
