Vol. 526 No. 6
82 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the considerable financial losses experienced by Concern and other Irish development organisations arising from the weakness of the euro against the dollar; if he will consider the case for short-term assistance to help them overcome exchange rate variations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27513/00]
I am aware of recent newspaper reports indicating that the strength of the US dollar against the euro has adversely affected the operations of Concern and other development organisations. However, it must be borne in mind that Irish budgetary commitments are denominated in Irish punts by the Oireachtas and this reality must be taken into account in budgetary planning by all of us working in an international context. In a situation of ever increasing demands for very deserving programmes, it is not possible to commit further funds to compensate for exchange rate fluctuations.
83 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the severe hardship being experienced in Kenya as a result of drought; the additional provision he will make to combat drought in Kenya and the surrounding region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27510/00]
115 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a newspaper article (details supplied) regarding Kenya; and if the contents thereof will be considered when deciding on the distribution of foreign aid. [26828/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 115 together.
I am aware of the drought which continues to directly affect almost three million people in Kenya and which has caused food shortages among the population of many pastoral and marginal agricultural areas. Recurrent periods of drought over the past ten years have led to widespread depletion of grazing land and water supplies.
While the drought cannot be considered to be over, the season of short rains has commenced in most areas – providing some respite for the affected population. The World Food Programme, WFP, has indicated that the immediate prospect of a famine has been averted by large scale aid interventions. At present WFP is still targeting 2.89 million people in 19 districts of the country through general food distribution. Some 659,000 people in 11 districts also received supplementary food during October. In addition, a little over one million children are targeted through the expanded school feeding programme, ESFP.
Ireland's response to the drought is twofold – the provision of emergency humanitarian assistance supplemented by the continuation of small scale development assistance through NGOs. So far this year over £400,000 in humanitarian aid has been provided to Kenya through Irish NGOs, Concern and Trócaire, and the WFP to support food distribution and food security.
In terms of addressing the effects of drought in the region as a whole, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, the Government has provided a total of more than £5 million in humanitarian aid this year.
In addition, since 1999 almost £1 million has been allocated to Kenya for projects under the NGO co-financing scheme. Under this scheme grants are provided to Irish NGOs and missionary orders for small scale development projects which meet the basic needs of the population. In Kenya the activities supported include primary health care, water and sanitation.
