Ivor Callely
Ceist:59 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the institutions which exist to respond to emergency situations particularly in Third World countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7757/00]
Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.
Derek McDowell
Ceist:67 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will sponsor a motion at the United Nations for the formation of an international logistical force to provide rapid relief in view of the recent disaster in Mozambique and the concern expressed regarding the delay in organising an adequate relief effort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8466/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 67 together.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has a specific budget allocation as part of its overseas development assistance which enables a speedy and effective response to humanitarian emergencies. The allocation for 2000 is £7 million. Ireland works closely with other like-minded countries and humanitarian organisations to develop and implement good practice in this area. Humanitarian interventions must, in so far as is possible, be in line with the highest humanitarian principles, be co-ordinated, based on a proper assessment of needs and monitored to ensure that relief reaches those most in need.
The key to an effective and timely response by the international community to emergency situations is a co-ordinated and collective approach to the provision of assistance. A number of international humanitarian agencies exist which individually, and working together, facilitate a speedy response to disasters. These include UN agencies such as the UN High Commission for Refugees, the world food programme and UNICEF, the Red Cross family and non-governmental organisations. These agencies have rapid response mechanisms in place.
As part of the reform programme of the UN, the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) was established in 1998. OCHA was mandated by the member states to mobilise and co-ordinate the collective efforts of the international community, in particular those of the UN system, to meet the needs of those suffering the effects of humanitarian emergencies. OCHA, with the strong support of donor countries, including Ireland, co-ordinates the overall response, identifies gaps, avoids duplication and unnecessary competition among aid agencies which, unfortunately, still occurs all too frequently.
The OCHA has a number of mechanisms through which countries respond collectively to sudden onset emergencies. These include a resource base for UN disaster assessment and co-ordination (UNDAC) teams consisting of 140 skilled emergency managers from 32 countries and international organisations. UNDAC teams have trained together and are fully self-sufficient ready to be sent immediately to disaster situations.
The OCHA also has a military and civil defence unit to ensure the most efficient use of military and civil defence assets in support of humanitarian emergencies. Military and civil defence assets can only be employed at the request, or with the consent of the receiving state.
The issue of a UN-sponsored international logistical force, capable of responding immediately to crisis situations, raises complex questions of sovereignty and of resources including, for example, the status of such a force and whether it would be under the control of the Secretary General or of national governments.
There is also considerable focus at the UN on the need for clarification of the principles and the establishment of agreed criteria for intervention by other member states. The requirements of humanitarian intervention must be reconciled with other principles such as national sovereignty or non-intervention as established by the UN charter. These are sensitive issues which need careful consideration by the international community.
It is generally accepted that the ability of the international community to respond speedily, efficiently and effectively to emergencies has improved qualitatively in recent years. However, it is equally recognised that continued efforts are needed to build and consolidate the achievements to date and to learn lessons from each humanitarian intervention. The focus must always remain on saving and protecting the lives of those most affected.
The Government's main aim in emergency situations is to get the right sort of assistance to the victims as speedily and as effectively as possible. This is the main determinant in choosing the channel of assistance. Ireland responds through non-governmental organisations which are established in the affected country or region and therefore have the local knowledge, expertise and capacity to re-act speedily and effectively to emergencies; through multilateral organisations, such as the UN agencies and the Red Cross family which have a presence in most countries and are most often in a position to move immediately to help local efforts and through the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) which was specifically set up to allow a unified EU response to humanitarian emergencies. In 1999, ECHO's funding amounted to almost 810 million euro.
Ireland Aid has guidelines and procedures in place for the disbursement of emergency funding. These have been developed in line with international norms and in consultation with non-governmental organisations. In the case of rapid-onset emergencies, there is an urgency procedure in place which enables the Minister to approve funding to facilitate a quick, efficient and effective response to humanitarian emergencies through the organisations most qualified to re-act in the particular circumstances. This response is co-ordinated with other donors through the EU and through UNOCHA.