Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
381. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a schedule of the humanitarian partners that have received humanitarian assistance funding and the amounts provided to date; and if will commit to providing additional supports if required. [14059/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish government has made a €20 million Irish aid package available to support the humanitarian response in Ukraine and refugee host countries. This is being channelled through trusted humanitarian partners who have an established presence delivering life-saving assistance in the region.
The first €10 million tranche has been allocated to UN OCHA (€3 million), UNHCR (€3 million), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC; €3 million) and the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC; €1 million), all of whom are active on the ground in Ukraine.
The second tranche, also €10 million, is being made available to agencies with strong track records and able to respond immediately to needs in Ukraine and those of its neighbours most affected by the conflict, in particular refugee flows. Additional funding is being made available to the UNHCR and ICRC, together with dedicated funding for medical response through the WHO and for protection issues for women and children affected by conflict through UNICEF and UNFPA. A dedicated call for proposals for NGOs ready to respond is being launch.
Ukrainian civil society organisations that are the first responders in this humanitarian crisis will be supported through the UN OCHA Ukraine Humanitarian Fund which ensures flexible, un-earmarked funding. Irish Aid is also supporting Irish NGO efforts through the Emergency Response Fund Scheme (ERFS), designed to support timely and effective responses to sudden onset humanitarian crises.
Ireland has provided medical supplies, including blood bags, protective suits, masks and disinfectants, in response to a request from Ukraine via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), which is coordinating the supply and delivery of support across all EU member states. This mechanism ensures fast and targeted provision of what is needed most. Ireland has also activated its rapid response corps and expects to deploy several experts to work with UN stand-by partners on the humanitarian response.
In addition, Ireland contributes to global funds and provides core funding to key agencies that are allocating funds to Ukraine, including WHO, OCHA, UNHCR, IFRC, ICRC and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Ireland was amongst the 10 largest donors to the CERF in 2021. Pre-positioned donor funds, including from Ireland, has enabled the CERF to release €55 million in assistance to Ukraine.
