Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2022
94. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the current situation in the Horn of Africa; Ireland's presence and engagement on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57651/22]
View answerThe Horn of Africa is facing a rapidly deteriorating food security crisis. A five-season drought is devastating vast areas of the region against a background of climate shocks and protracted conflict. More than 21 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity in southern Ethiopia, northern Kenya, and Somalia.
In August-September, I travelled to Kenya and South Sudan and witnessed first-hand the severity of the humanitarian crisis. I had discussions with Government, UN and NGO officials on the situation, and the need for a radically scaled up international response.
Following my visit, in Budget 2023, the Government provided an additional €30 million in immediate humanitarian assistance to respond to the urgency of the crisis across the region. This brings to over €100 million Ireland's total assistance to the Horn of Africa in 2022.
Ireland has consistently called internationally for increased support to the Horn of Africa. We recognise that humanitarian funding alone will not be sufficient to address the complex challenges facing the region. At the UN Security Council, Ireland has been closely engaged on peace and security in the Horn, including oversight of the United Nations and African Union missions in Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan. In the EU, Ireland has strongly supported the Team Europe pledge in June of over €600 million for the Horn of Africa. This week an additional package of emergency aid for the region was announced by the EU as part of a new €210 million effort to address food insecurity in 15 countries.
