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Irish Aid

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 January 2022

Thursday, 27 January 2022

Questions (224)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which bilateral and multilateral aid programmes continue to identify countries suffering from war, starvation or natural disasters with a view to addressing the issues arising therefrom; if particular or specific programmes are being developed to address issues such as medicines and water shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4174/22]

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Written answers

My Department, through the Irish Aid programme, prioritises reaching those most in need, those living in countries suffering from the effects of war, starvation, and natural disasters, amongst other issues.

Many of countries where Ireland has bilateral aid programmes are those which have recently emerged from conflict or, in some cases, where armed actions continue. These include Sierra Leone and Liberia, following on from UN peacekeeping operations there, Mozambique, where there has been internal conflict for much of the last decade, and Ethiopia.

Ireland works with a wide range of partners including the UN, Development Banks, and NGOs, as well as in our capacity as an EU Member State, to ensure that our assistance reaches those most in need.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (UN OCHA) provides vital needs assessments which ensure Irish Aid is targeted at the most compelling humanitarian crises. Last year, my Department provided over €5 million in direct support to each of the following countries – Afghanistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen. This is in addition to our contributions to UN humanitarian organisations, the Red Cross family, and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which also provided support to these protracted crises.

Over the past two years, my Department has invested €200 million in global public health, much of which reaches countries experiencing humanitarian emergencies. In addition to my Department’s partnership with the HSE in our bilateral partners to help build more resilient national health systems, Ireland is a longstanding core supporter of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund), which supports eligible countries with essential treatments and medical supplies. Ireland is currently a Board member at the Global Fund, championing their work in fragile contexts.

The total Irish Aid contribution to date to COVAX is €13.5 million. Through our complementary support to the Global Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), which co-leads COVAX, Irish Aid is directly contributing to immunising refugees and internally displaced populations in the world’s poorest countries.

Irish Aid supports efforts to improve global governance of water and sanitation, especially in countries affected by humanitarian crises. For example in Gaza, Ireland is partnering with the French Development Agency to provide sustainable solar power to the North Gaza Emergency Sewage Treatment plant to ensure adequate clean water. In Mozambique, Ireland works with local government representatives to build new water systems, install water access points and rehabilitate existing boreholes. In Liberia, Ireland is supporting the multi-NGO WASH consortium to deliver water and sanitation to rural communities. Irish core support for UNICEF contributes to improved water supplies and sanitation facilities in schools and communities, and safe hygiene practices in 90 countries.

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