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Human Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Ceisteanna (62)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

62. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the initiatives he plans to take to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18553/20]

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Freagraí scríofa

Yemen is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with over 24 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. The spread of COVID-19 threatens a catastrophic situation in a country where the health system has been shattered by years of conflict.

Ireland is deeply concerned by this level of humanitarian suffering, and has provided over €27 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen since 2015, including €5 million in 2020.

Ireland also contributes substantial funding at the global level, including Ireland's support to the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund, a global fund to address the most severe crises. Ireland is one of the top ten contributors to the CERF, which in 2019 allocated $32 million to Yemen.

Ireland also contributes to the EU response and since 2015 the EU has allocated €484 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen.

Decisions on arms exports are a national competence, rather than an EU competence. All EU arms exports are subject to the Common Position on arms export control, which set out eight criteria that must be met before issuing export licenses, including respect for International Humanitarian Law in the receiving country.

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. The UN Secretary General’s call for a global ceasefire in March, later affirmed by the Security Council in Resolution 2532, gives a renewed impetus to this work.

I welcome efforts made towards a Joint Declaration between the Government of Yemen and the Houthis which 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, agreement has still not been reached.

I call on all parties to the conflict to engage seriously with these efforts to end the conflict, and ease the suffering of the people of Yemen. I also call on all parties to ensure full, secure and unimpeded access for humanitarian and health workers and supplies to all parts of Yemen, to allow lifesaving assistance to reach those in greatest need.

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