Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
423. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide humanitarian relief and assistance to help with the refugee crisis in Moldova following the Russian invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14740/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe response of Moldova to this crisis has been very impressive under extremely difficult circumstances. The €20 million Irish Aid humanitarian package includes to support to Ukrainian refugees in neighbouring countries, including Moldova. €5 million of the Irish Aid package is allocated to the UNHCR inter-agency Regional Response Plan (RPP) for the Ukraine crisis, which in turn has allocated a fifth of its overall budget to Moldova and where UNHCR has opened an office. €1 million of our contribution is earmarked directly for Moldova.
Ireland is also providing €1.5million to UNFPA, whose work in Moldova focuses on the protection of women and girls in very difficult circumstances.
Many of Ireland’s humanitarian partners are expanding their activities to help the Moldovan government cope with the influx of refugees. The humanitarian package also includes a €1 million grant to the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), which is also supporting the local response via the Moldovan Red Cross.
Ireland has also contributed to the inter-agency Regional Response Plan through Irish Aid core funding to key participating organisations, including UNICEF, IOM, UNDP, UNHCR, UNFPA, WFP, WHO and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). We encourage all our humanitarian partners to use their core funding to respond to the Ukraine humanitarian crisis including by supporting neighbouring countries.
The EU has also announced a rapid assistance package of €500 million to help civilians affected by the conflict. This will include support to the inter-agency RRP and additional funding of €5 million to Moldova in the European Commission’s revised Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP).
