Richard Bruton
Question:20. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will update Dáil Éireann on the situation in Afghanistan in terms of the humanitarian crisis and the evacuation of persons at risk. [3859/22]
View answerThursday, 27 January 2022
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Written answers
Afghanistan is now the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Nearly 23 million Afghans face acute food insecurity. The UN launched its largest ever humanitarian funding appeal on 11 January seeking approximately $5 billion to meet the immense needs within Afghanistan and of Afghan refugees in the region.
A donor-pledging conference on Afghanistan is likely to take place in March and Ireland will participate. In 2021, our humanitarian funding to Afghanistan increased fivefold to over €5.3 million for UN agencies and NGOs. Last year, the EU and Member States allocated more than €1 billion in funding to UN agencies and NGOs working in Afghanistan for humanitarian aid and to support basic needs. The EU also established a humanitarian air bridge that delivered 280 tonnes of lifesaving supplies.
Ireland supports all initiatives to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people. At the UN Security Council, we actively engaged in negotiations to ensure a clear and robust humanitarian carve out to the sanctions regime against the Taliban to ensure the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to the population. The resolution was adopted in December.
A total of 108 Irish citizens and their dependents have been assisted in evacuating Afghanistan since August.
My Department, including our Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Ankara, has worked with EU Member States and partners in the region to support ongoing evacuation efforts.
Work continues to support the small number of Irish citizens and their dependents, less than 10, as well as residents, who remain in Afghanistan and wish to leave in the coming period.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth administers the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. Over 500 Afghan nationals have been granted refugee status under this Programme, with 418 having arrived safely to Ireland. My Department has provided support, including through our Embassy network, in securing safe passage to Ireland for a number of these.