Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 11 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 1

Written Answers. - Ethiopian Famine.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

31 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total financial aid provided so far to deal with the current famine crisis in Ethiopia; if he will report on the Minister of State's recent visit to Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13061/00]

John Gormley

Ceist:

74 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions being taken by the Government to alleviate the current crisis in Ethiopia. [13057/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

109 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he will take through the UN or EU to improve the situation in Ethiopia with particular reference to the alleviation of starvation and famine and the need to ensure international aid intended for this purpose goes directly to those in need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13212/00]

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Ms O'Donnell)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 74 and 109 together.

As an indication of the Government's concern about the humanitarian situation in Ethiopia, I travelled to the region last week to assess the status of the emergency relief effort and the effectiveness of the response by the international community. I also availed of the opportunity to assess Ireland Aid's programmes which are aimed at long-term development which addresses the root causes of poverty and vulnerability to humanitarian crises.

Not all of the country is similarly affected and many areas, although chronically food-insecure, have sufficient capacity to mitigate the worst affects of the three year drought with the support of the Ethiopian authorities and the international community.

I had discussions on the overall situation and the current emergency with the Ethiopian authorities including the Prime Minister, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Economic Planning and Development and the Deputy Commissioner of the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Commission. I also had consultations with the secretary-general of the Organisation of African Unity which was facilitating proximity talks between Ethiopia and Eritrea in Algiers.

I met representatives from the Irish NGOs, Concern, GOAL and Self-Help International who briefed me on their work in Ethiopia. I was present at the first day of a supplementary feeding project being run by Concern in Wollita in southern Ethiopia and saw the severe effects of the drought on very vulnerable children and mothers. I also met with the director of the World Food Programme to discuss the status of the response to appeals for international humanitarian assistance. I was assured that the donor community, including the EU and the USA, had pledged sufficient food aid for the current emergency as it stands. She indicated that it will be necessary to revise the amount of assistance needed as more detailed information becomes available on the arrival or not of the much needed rains. The provision of water supplies and basic medicines are also crucial if lives are to be saved.

It is recognised that the key issue now is to ensure that the chain of delivery of food remains unbroken so that food arrives in time from the ports to the areas most in need. The Secretary-General of the United Nations has just appointed a senior official as special humanitarian co-ordinator to work with the Government and the UN agencies to strengthen the humanitarian response. Work is proceeding on improving key logistical and infrastructural capacity in order to ensure effective delivery of relief assistance.

Since the beginning of the current crisis Ireland has allocated £2,859,000 for emergency needs. This includes funds from the emergency aid budget and a reorientation of some programme funds in consultation with the Ethiopian authorities. Ireland commenced a development assistance programme in Ethiopia in 1994. The programme is focused on long-term sustainable development in partnership with the Ethiopian authorities and people. The programmes help prevent or at least mitigate the worst affects of drought and chronic food shortages. I was able to see the positive effects of this approach during my visit to Tigray last week where Ireland Aid is working with the local authorities and people on agricultural development and land and water management.

Some concerns have been raised about ensuring that assistance reaches those most in need. This is an issue which arises in many humanitarian emergencies. In countries where there is conflict no long-term development funds are paid to the central treasury but are used at local and regional level. All inputs and outputs are monitored carefully by embassy staff. Additional emergency funding is usually given through international agencies and NGOs who give assurances that assistance will go directly to the most vulnerable groups.