Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
891. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans that Ireland has in the context of food insecurity in Syria that may be exacerbated by the political and economic effects of the Ukrainian crisis in the event that humanitarian access to Syria from Turkey becomes blocked and its partners have to address this crisis at political and humanitarian levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30932/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith over 14 million people inside Syria requiring assistance, Syria has been one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the world since the conflict there began over a decade ago. In addition to those affected within the country, millions more Syrians have left the country as refugees, the majority to neighbouring countries.
This is the context within which the wider impacts of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including the restriction of grain exports, are reverbating, within Syria and also across its neighbours. In Syria itself, almost two-thirds of the population are expected to face food shortages in 2022.
This year, through the Irish Aid programme, the Government will provide over €23 million to the Syria humanitarian response. This will bring Ireland’s assistance to Syria since 2012 to over €216 million, our largest ever response to a humanitarian crisis. Using a variety of trusted partners, we ensure that critical assistance reaches those most in need. This includes displaced Syrians still within the country as well as refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey.
Ireland is also addressing the issue of food insecurity directly, notably through funding of €8 million (provided through the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine) to assist the World Food Programme’s activities both within Syria and in the neighbouring countries.
Ireland also provides significant humanitarian funding at the global level, including to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). In the last six months, the CERF has provided $25 million in critical assistance to Syria with the largest proportion going to support food security. Ireland also contributes to the EU response to the crisis – so far this year the European Commission has mobilised €135 million in humanitarian aid to provide vital assistance (including food and nutritional support) to millions of people inside Syria.
Since joining the Security Council in 2021, Ireland and Norway have served as co-penholders on the Syria humanitarian file. In July 2021, we were pleased to secure Resolution 2585 by consensus, which extended the mandate for the UN’s cross border operation at Bab al-Hawa for 12 months. Ahead of the expiry of that mandate in July, Ireland and Norway are continuing to engage extensively across the Council, making the case that humanitarian aid must continue to reach all people in need.
