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Humanitarian Aid

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2015

Wednesday, 16 December 2015

Ceisteanna (145, 146)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

145. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide additional funding for humanitarian aid for Syria and adjoining areas in view of the ongoing conflict, the appalling loss of life and the urgent need to get essential humanitarian aid to persons living in desperate conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45615/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

146. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise at the next European Union Foreign Affairs Council the need for the European Union to provide additional funding to Syria and that region given the ongoing conflict, the appalling loss of lives and the urgent need to get humanitarian aid to persons living in desperate conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45616/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together.

The world now faces unprecedented levels of humanitarian crisis, driven by conflict, chronic instability, and economic and environmental shocks. Globally, there are now more than 59 million people displaced, more than at any time since the Second World War.

Ireland is firmly committed to responding to the humanitarian needs of those affected by these crises. Our most significant humanitarian contribution in recent years has been for the people affected by the appalling conflict in Syria, which has created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. More than 250,000 Syrians have been killed, 6.6 million people are displaced within Syria, and over 4.2 million have had to flee the country in search of safety. Some 13.5 million people, well over half of Syria’s population, are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.

Ireland is particularly mindful of the impact of the crisis on Syria’s immediate neighbours – Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq – which have been generous hosts to huge numbers of desperate people, putting huge strain on their own resources.

We have been supporting efforts to assist refugees affected by the Syria crisis, providing needs-based humanitarian assistance since 2012.

Ireland’s humanitarian aid is implemented by our UN, NGO and Red Cross partners, and has helped to provide food, shelter and medical care to those who need it.

At the Pledging Conference in Kuwait in March 2015, Ireland pledged €12 million in humanitarian assistance for the Syrian crisis this year. Earlier this week, I announced an additional package of €2.95 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria and the region, bringing the total given in 2015 to €13 million.

With the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance within Syria greatly exceeding the number of refugees who have fled their home country, I have ensured that half of this package is focused on their needs.

With more than 2 million children in Syria, and 700,000 across the region not in school, there is a high risk of creating a generation of under-qualified and disaffected youth. To support the No Lost Generation initiative, which supports education, child protection and engagement of adolescents in their communities, €1 million goes to UNICEF.

Additionally, €500,000 goes to UNICEF in Jordan for water and sanitation work in the Azraq refugee camp, improving living conditions for Syrian refugees there, and increasing sustainability in this long drawn out crisis.

By the end of 2015, Ireland will have provided over €42 million to the Syrian people since the beginning of the crisis. I am determined that Ireland will continue to provide appropriate humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people.

The Syria crisis remains high on the European agenda. On 23 September last, an Emergency European Council was held to address the crisis, resulting in further funding being given. Since then, the European Council of 15 October, and the informal European Council of 15 November have discussed the crisis in the context of migration. The Foreign Affairs Councils of 12 October and 16 November both featured Syria prominently on their agendas.

The EU, collectively, is the world’s largest humanitarian donor, and has been a leading donor in response to the Syrian crisis. The EU (European Commission and Member States) has provided some €4.4 billion in humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people since the beginning of this crisis. This crisis will remain on the EU’s agenda, and will remain a humanitarian priority for the EU, as it is for Ireland.

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