Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Ireland’s overseas aid continues to respond to the needs of the most serious situations globally whether by bilateral or multilateral provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11509/24]
View answer145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Ireland encourages a greater more rapid response to emerging global emergencies arising from starvation, crop failure, war, ethnic cleansing arising from deliberations at the United Nations Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11514/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 145 together.
Ireland’s overseas aid responds to the most serious global emergencies through several channels. About one third of Ireland's overseas aid is provided through multilateral partners, including the European Union, the World Bank and UN Agencies. We also provide funding through trusted Non-Governmental Organisations, the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement and pooled funding mechanisms.
Ireland ranks among the top twenty humanitarian donors. In 2023 we provided an estimated €300 million in humanitarian assistance. Ireland supports humanitarian assistance and protection in countries and regions such as Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen, the Sahel and Ukraine.
Responding rapidly to sudden onset emergencies is a particular challenge, which Ireland addresses through our Rapid Response Initiative, our prepositioned global humanitarian funding, and our engagement through the UN and EU.
Ireland’s Rapid Response Initiative includes two components: the provision of emergency supplies such as tents and blankets; and the deployment of humanitarian experts to UN agencies to support their humanitarian response. In 2023, Ireland provided 350 tonnes of relief items in response to earthquakes in Türkiye, Syria and Afghanistan, and conflicts in Sudan and Gaza. Ireland also deployed 23 members of its Rapid Response Roster to five UN agencies in 14 countries.
Ireland also provides funding to several global humanitarian pooled funds. These pre-positioned funding mechanisms are the most efficient means to quickly respond to natural disasters or sudden escalation in conflicts. In 2023, Ireland provided €14.5 million to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, €1.4 million to the START Fund, and €1.2 million to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Ireland also provides pre-positioned humanitarian funding to Irish Non-Governmental Organisations through Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership.
In addition to these mechanisms, Ireland regularly engages through the EU and UN to encourage the rapid provision of assistance where it is most needed. For example, in 2023, Ireland joined the Advisory Board of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). This will allow Ireland to influence a critically important UN humanitarian pooled fund. In 2023, the CERF allocated over $650 million to different humanitarian crises around the world.
