Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2021
363. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the humanitarian assistance the Government is providing to the people of Somalia at present to address the severe food and water shortages facing 2.3 million residents there as recently reported by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61864/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe humanitarian situation in Somalia is worsening, exacerbated by a three year long drought which has affected more than 2.8 million people in 66 out of the 74 districts in Somalia. An estimated 133,000 people, mostly in central and southern areas have been displaced. There are fears that the situation could continue to worsen into 2022. The Somalia government declared a state of emergency on 23 November and appealed for humanitarian assistance.
Ireland has strong track record of support for the people of Somalia, with the Irish Aid programme contributing over €57 million in humanitarian assistance to the country since 2012. So far this year Irish Aid funding of €5,756,888 has been allocated to humanitarian action in Somalia, including direct humanitarian funding to Irish NGOs active on the ground responding to the impacts of the drought. Ireland also contributed €3,500,000 to the Country Based Pooled Fund for Somalia, including this month a specific contribution of €500,000 in response to the drought.
The UN OCHA Central Emergency Response Fund, of which Ireland is one of the top ten donors globally, has provided US$8 million to drought response, augmented by $6 million from the Somalia Humanitarian Fund. These pooled funding instruments provide rapid and flexible funding where it is needed most. They enable timely, effective and principled humanitarian action while strengthening leadership, coordination and coherence in emergency response. In 2021, Ireland made an overall contribution of €11,500,000 to the Central Emergency Response Fund.
