Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:
37
Mr. M. Higgins
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will reconsider the cuts in Irish aid and emergency aid in view of the millions threatened with famine in the Horn of Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26517/02]
Joe Sherlock
Ceist:
62
Mr. Sherlock
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the reason for the reduction of 12% in the allocation for emergency humanitarian assistance in his Department's Estimates for 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26535/02]
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:
66
Ms Shortall
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if his attention has been drawn to the warning issued by the deputy executive director of the UN World Food Programme, Mr. Jean-Jacques Graisse, during a recent visit to Dublin, that up to 14 million people may need food aid in Ethiopia alone; the steps the Government intends to take to help address the growing food crisis in Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26533/02]
David Stanton
Ceist:
90
Mr. Stanton
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will report on the proposed visit of Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, to Ethiopia.
[26496/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 62, 66 and 90 together.
Irish overseas development assistance is likely to be in the region of €450 million next year, compared to some €420 million in 2002. This increased allocation will be the highest ever in the history of the programme.
I am aware that concerns have been expressed regarding a possible reduction in support for the emergency humanitarian subhead under the Ireland Aid budget. I assure the Deputies that no such cuts in this subhead are planned for next year. A reduced allocation to the emergency humanitarian subhead was included in the Abridged Ireland Aid Estimates published in November last. However, on 20 November, the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, made clear in the Dáil that emergency humanitarian assistance is a key component of the Ireland Aid pro gramme, particularly given the current needs in the famine-affected countries in Africa and the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, and that he would be taking steps to ensure that resources at least of the order of those made available in 2002 will be provided again in 2003.
Ireland Aid has mounted a rapid and significant response to the growing food security crisis in the Horn of Africa. The greatest need will be in Ethiopia, where five million people currently require food assistance, but this figure could rise to 14 million people by May 2003.
In response to the worsening situation, the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, held urgent discussions on 18 November with leading Irish non-governmental organisations, NGOs. Following the meeting, he announced a special €2 million food assistance package for the people of Ethiopia. This brings the Government's total spending on emergency and humanitarian relief for the Horn of Africa region to over €7 million to date this year. A further €9 million has been delivered to alleviate the humanitarian situation in the southern African region since its food crisis began in 2002.
Two weeks ago, the Minister of State sent an Ireland Aid mission to Ethiopia to co-ordinate the Government's emergency assistance with other donors, the United Nations and the NGO community. The Minister of State will himself travel to Ethiopia in January to assess the impact that famine, drought and HIV and AIDS are having on the people of the region. During the visit he will have an opportunity to view the life-saving work being carried out by Irish NGOs, UN agencies, other international organisations and the Ethiopian authorities.
In addition to the Government's emergency humanitarian assistance, Ireland Aid is delivering long-term development support to Ethiopia. In 2003 it is estimated that this support will exceed €27 million, making Ireland one of the largest donors in Ethiopia.
Ireland's financial support has been complemented by ongoing political action. The Government has been working closely with its partners in the European Union and United Nations to develop strategies on how immediate food needs in Africa can best be addressed at both national and regional levels. The Minister of State raised the crisis in discussions he had with the Deputy Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme, who visited Dublin a little over a week ago, and with World Bank and UN agency representatives during a recent visit to Washington and New York. He had already met EU Commissioner Poul Nielson in Brussels last July for discussions on EU action in response to the food crises in Africa.
We will continue to follow closely the unfolding situation in the Horn of Africa. The Government stands prepared to deliver further assistance from the Ireland Aid programme in the new year. We will continue to work closely with Irish and international NGOs and with our donor partners in the EU and UN to ensure maximum co-ordination in the international response to this crisis.
