Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
440. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the likely declaration of famine in Somalia; the steps that the Irish Government proposes to do in regard to this deteriorating situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54748/22]
View answerToday, over 7.8 million people in Somalia are affected by drought, more than double the number of at the beginning of the year. More than 1.1 million people have left their homes in search of food, water, and livelihoods. Some 301,000 people are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity. Humanitarian needs will continue well into 2023, with the current rainy season failing. If humanitarian assistance is not urgently scaled up and effectively sustained, famine is likely to be declared. Humanitarian agencies are stepping up in response, re-orientating activities towards famine prevention and targeting the most vulnerable.
Over the last two years, Ireland has responded with over €78 million in direct humanitarian aid to countries in the Horn of Africa suffering from the impact of drought, conflict, climate shocks and the global food crisis. We are working with partners on the ground to deliver lifesaving assistance to those who need it most. Of this funding, €13.2 million has been provided to respond to humanitarian needs in Somalia, bringing to €65 million the direct humanitarian assistance provided to Somalia since 2012. These interventions complement the Irish Aid investment of over €54 million in development and other funding over the last two years to communities across the Horn of Africa to help address the underlying cause of food insecurity and to build community resilience. Somalia also benefits from contributions by Ireland to global pooled funds such as the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, which since 2021 has allocated $76 million to the Somalia humanitarian response.
Additional funding of €30 million for Humanitarian Action in the Horn of Africa this year was announced in Budget 2023. Once approved in a Supplementary Estimate, this funding will be allocated to a range of trusted humanitarian partners with proven geographic, sectoral and thematic expertise and a long-term presence and commitment in the region. It is anticipated that a significant proportion will go directly to partners active in Somalia to meet the needs of those affected by the worsening humanitarian crisis.
