Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
455. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent steps taken by Ireland, the EU and the international community to address the ongoing instability in Yemen; his plans to increase Irish Aid funding in view of the looming food insecurity crisis in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14680/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra456. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the response by Ireland to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen; the actions he plans to take to offer support to the population of Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14735/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 456 together.
Driven by the continued conflict, and worsened by the spread of COVID-19, Yemen remains the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with 80 per cent of the population in need of humanitarian assistance.
Ireland has so far this year provided €5 million in funding to the United Nations Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF). This Fund mobilises and channels funding to NGOs and UN agencies which have the capacity and are best placed to deliver lifesaving assistance to the most vulnerable. In total Ireland has given over €27 million in humanitarian aid directly to Yemen since 2015.
Ireland also provides significant humanitarian funding to Yemen through our contribution to global funds, including to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund. Ireland is one of the top ten contributors to the CERF since its establishment in 2006. In 2019, the CERF provided €32 million in funding to Yemen. Funding has also been given to WHO and UNHCR specifically for their Global COVID-19 response.
As a Member State of the EU, Ireland also contributes to the EU response to the crisis in Yemen. Since the beginning of the conflict in 2015, the EU has allocated €484 million in humanitarian aid.
The roots of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen lies in conflict. Ireland and the EU fully support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, to bring about a political resolution to the conflict.
In particular, I welcome efforts made towards a Joint Declaration between the Government of Yemen and the Houthis that would commit the parties to a nationwide ceasefire, bring forward a number of economic and humanitarian measures, and resume a political process. However, despite the Special Envoy’s efforts over the last three months, agreement has not been reached and the cycle of violence continues and has even increased in some areas.
Ireland calls again on the parties to the conflict to comply fully with their obligations under international humanitarian law, and to continue their engagement with the Special Envoy with a view to agreeing a declaration and ceasefire that will be in the best interests of the people of Yemen. Full, secure and unimpeded access for humanitarian and health workers and supplies to all of Yemen, in the spirit of Resolution 2532, would allow lifesaving assistance to reach those in greatest need.
