Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
83. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the humanitarian policy priorities for Ireland’s membership of the Security Council of the United Nations; the way these priorities are being progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23992/21]
View answerWith conflict the main driver of humanitarian crises, prevention and response to humanitarian crises is a key priority during Ireland’s term on the UN Security Council, and is central to ‘A Better World’, Ireland’s policy for International Development Cooperation.
Throughout our Council term, Ireland will advocate for principled humanitarian assistance and adherence to International Humanitarian Law, and highlight the need for all parties to armed conflict to comply with their obligations under International Humanitarian Law. Ireland focuses on how humanitarian policy affects vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls. We also prioritise the need to protect humanitarian workers, and in this we include those representing Irish NGOs which do very important work.
As ‘co-penholder’ on the Syria Humanitarian file, we are working to ensure humanitarian aid is able to reach all people in need. In July 2020, the Security Council extended the mandate for one remaining cross-border mechanism at Bab al-Hawa, between Turkey and North West Syria, for a period of twelve months. I visited Bab al-Hawa in January, and saw first-hand the scale of the operation. Our clear message is that, at present, it would not be possible to meet humanitarian needs in Syria without renewal of the cross border resolution.
We are the informal focal point, with Niger, on Hunger and Conflict at the Council. During the open debate on Hunger and Conflict in March, I recalled the responsibility of the Security Council to fully implement Resolution 2417, which deals with issues such as starvation as a weapon of war, and the denial or impeding of humanitarian access. At the Council open debate on indispensable civilian objects last month, I highlighted the devastating impacts of attacks on food and water supplies, and the unacceptable use of starvation as a weapon of war.
Ireland has taken a leading role at the Council on the humanitarian crisis in Tigray, Ethiopia. We initiated discussions at the Council in February and March on the dire humanitarian and protection situation, and led negotiations for a press statement that was agreed by all Council members on 22 April. The press statement called for unfettered humanitarian access and a scaled up humanitarian response. We have also called for an urgent end to hostilities in Yemen, which is facing a severe humanitarian crisis.
