Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 January 2018
56. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community is dealing with the situation in the Horn of Africa with particular reference to the alleviation of famine, violence and human rights issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3904/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2017 saw a year of unprecedented humanitarian crises, including the reoccurrence of the threat of famine to the Horn of Africa, including South Sudan and Somalia. Ireland, in particular through EU and UN structures, continues to support efforts to address issues of famine, violence and human rights issues around the globe, including in the Horn of Africa. The scale of the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa is very acute. Conflict, drought, severe food insecurity and now famine, are causing massive population displacements and suffering throughout the region. Drought continues to worsen across the region. Almost 30 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, with over 24 million people facing varying levels of food insecurity.
Ireland continues to prioritize this region in its humanitarian response. Ireland, through the Irish Aid programme, has provided over €132 million in humanitarian assistance in the Horn of Africa region since 2012, including €28 million in 2017. Following his visit to the Horn of Africa in November, the Tánaiste debriefed EU colleagues at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, on the critical humanitarian situation, and emphasised the importance of deepening the EU’s political engagement with Africa in the future.
A priority for Ireland in responding to humanitarian crises, is ensuring that life-saving assistance reaches those most in need, as quickly as possible. Ireland supports the role of OCHA in coordinating the response to humanitarian crises, and provides them with core funding (€2.9 million in 2017) to facilitate their operation. Ireland also supports the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) which delivers funding quickly to humanitarian responders, including underfunded crises, aiming to ensure that competing demands do not mean crises are forgotten. In 2017, Ireland provided €22 million to CERF making us the sixth largest donor that year. This UN managed fund has already contributed US$118 million to the region last year- almost 30% of the overall CERF 2017 allocation.
Ireland remains committed to providing humanitarian assistance where it is needed most, working with partners who can ensure that such assistance is delivered in a coordinated and effective manner. However, we also recognise that humanitarian aid alone is not the answer. We will continue to focus our efforts on supporting the international system to find peaceful resolution to conflicts that are currently driving humanitarian need.
