Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
105. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the humanitarian assistance being provided by Ireland to alleviate the distress of refugees fleeing Ukraine to border countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14743/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe solidarity shown by countries bordering Ukraine in taking in millions of refugees over a period of a few weeks has been remarkable. Their solidarity must now be matched by other EU Member States and Ireland will not be found wanting. As of last weekend, over 9000 Ukrainians had come to Ireland, with a whole of Government response being put in place to assist their stay. I would like to pay tribute to all those Irish people who have offered a place in their homes, or who are otherwise helping those Ukrainians who are here or coming here.
I am conscious that Ireland must also assist those closer to Ukraine, already hosting millions of refugees. That is why I allocated one quarter of the initial €20 million Irish Aid Ukraine response package to the UNHCR Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP). The RRP is allocating its €500 million appeal to directly supporting the host countries of Poland, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary.
In addition, €2 million of that support to UNHCR will go directly to is work in Poland and Moldova, who are coping with the largest influxes of refugees.
Given the particular vulnerability of female refugees, €1.5 million in Irish Aid support to UNFPA’s work on protection of women and girls.
A dedicated call for proposals for Irish NGOs ready to respond and support host countries is also being launched.
€1 million in Irish Aid funding is supporting national Red Cross societies, including in Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, and Romania, in their work with Ukrainian refugees.
Ireland is contributing to the 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.
Finally, 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 RRP and additional funding to neighbouring countries.
