asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will state what aid it is proposed to provide from this country to assist the victims of the cholera outbreak in Pakistan and India; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Private Notice Question. - Aid for Cholera Victims.
The Government are deeply concerned at the tragic plight of the victims of the cholera outbreak in Pakistan and in India and the extent of the suffering and the refugee problem created as a result of the situation in East Pakistan. The Secretary-General of the United Nations has issued an appeal for humanitarian assistance for large numbers of refugees from East Pakistan now in neighbouring Indian States and has decided that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees should act as the focal point for the co-ordination of assistance from all organisations of the United Nations system. As a first step, the High Commissioner has sent a three-man team to assist the refugees' needs and to discuss means of assistance with the Indian Government. The Government of Pakistan for their part have requested assistance from the United Nations family of organisations.
As Deputies will be aware, Ireland contributes annually to international aid organisations such as the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Food Programme, as well as to our own Red Cross Society, all of which will, no doubt, contribute to the relief of the present tragic situation. The Government are giving urgent consideration to the present appeal of the Secretary-General and will announce the extent of any further assistance proposals within the next few days—apart of course from the generous aid already given by the Churches in Ireland and by the Irish Red Cross Society.
The Irish Red Cross Society have given out of funds made available to them by the Government and the public an initial contribution of £3,000 to the League of Red Cross Societies and propose to issue a public appeal for further subscriptions today. I would urge the public to respond generously to the appeal of the Irish Red Cross Society.
I take it from the Minister's reply that in view of the magnitude of this catastrophe a special grant of some character will be forthcoming from the Government to the United Nations authorities?
I have indicated that the Government are giving urgent consideration to the appeal made by the Secretary-General and we will be announcing the extent of any further assistance proposals within a matter of days.
Is the Minister satisfied that aid channelled through the Red Cross reaches the persons who are suffering, or is the aid in this case channelled through the United Nations?
Aid channelled through the Red Cross certainly would reach the people concerned. I am not quite certain at the moment if all aid including Red Cross aid, will go through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. I am not quite sure if it will work that way but the intention, as indicated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, is that the High Commissioner would act as the focal point for the co-ordination of all assistance from all organisations of the United Nations.
I think it may be taken that aid which is given, either through the United Nations organisation or through the Red Cross, will reach the refugees. I know there have been some complaints about certain supplies not reaching the people concerned. These complaints are being investigated urgently at the moment but I should like to stress that any contributions given to the Irish Red Cross Society in this connection will reach the victims of the disaster with the co-operation of the International Red Cross.
I take it that the Government will come to a speedy decision on this matter?
Yes, the Deputy may do this.