Holly Cairns
Ceist:770. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that he is taking in aiding those impacted by the recent flooding in Pakistan. [43797/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 8 September 2022
Ceisteanna (770)
Freagraí scríofa
I am deeply saddened and concerned by ongoing flooding in Pakistan that has devastated many parts of that country, destroying homes, livestock, harvest-ready crops and sources of livelihood. I offer my sincere condolences to the victims and, in particular, to those families who have lost loved ones.
I have committed €500,000 in humanitarian assistance to support the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Concern Worldwide. Both are longstanding partners of Irish Aid and are already working in the affected regions to save lives. Ireland is also working with our EU and UN partners to provide emergency assistance to help mitigate the effects of the flooding on the most vulnerable, including through an EU allocation of €2.15 million and an allocation of US$3 million through the UN Central Emergency Response Fund.
On behalf of the Government, I have written to my counterpart in Pakistan to express Ireland's condolences on the loss of life and our solidarity and to outline the steps Ireland has taken to support Pakistan's recovery from this tragedy. Ireland will continue to engage closely with Pakistan at this very difficult time and monitor developments through our Embassy in Ankara and the Honorary Consul in Karachi.
On 7 September 2022, the Government also announced its intention to open a new Embassy in Islamabad. Opening an Embassy in Islamabad will provide Ireland with a presence in a rapidly developing and geopolitically important region. The Embassy will support the strategic objectives of our Global Ireland Asia-Pacific Strategy, promoting Ireland’s values and interests.