Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022
352. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline a definitive policy position on Irish foreign aid; the role that it will play on the UN Security Council and at EU level in regards to the Horn of Africa, where drought has left the region facing catastrophe this year, placing 22 million people at risk of starvation. [53519/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s international development policy is set out in A Better World, and focuses on reaching those furthest behind through interventions aimed at reducing humanitarian need, promoting gender equality, strengthening governance, and taking action on climate change.
Last month I visited Kenya and South Sudan to witness the impact of the interlinked crises which are having a devastating impact on the Horn of Africa. The region is currently facing a fifth consecutive failed rainy reason and the worst drought in decades. Across the region, 36 million people have been affected by the drought with 22 million facing high levels of acute food insecurity.
The food security and nutrition crisis is unfolding within a wider context of political turmoil and conflict, the ongoing climate crisis, and the secondary effects of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
As focal point on hunger and conflict at the UN Security Council, Ireland has consistently highlighted the underlying causes of food insecurity and the links between conflict and hunger, together with the impact of climate change. Ireland has taken a leadership role on a number of Security Council agenda items relating to peace and security in the Horn. This has included our role as Chair of the Somalia Sanctions Committee and our efforts to address the conflict in Ethiopia. Our approach to peacekeeping and political mandates has taken into consideration the root causes of human insecurity and humanitarian need.
Ireland also continues to work through the EU to address the worst consequences of food insecurity. On 20 June, the Foreign Affairs Council approved conclusions on the Team Europe response to global food insecurity, including an endorsement of the Team Europe pledge of €1 billion in support of the Sahel and Lake Chad regions, as well as over €600 million in support of the Horn of Africa. As part of the EU Global Food Security Response, the EU has identified an overall contribution of over €5 billion in humanitarian and development assistance for global food security (covering the period 2021-2024).
At the global level, we have encouraged support to the UN Global Crisis Response Group and the FARM (Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission) initiative to mitigate the food security effects of Russia’s war in Ukraine on impacted countries. In September, Ireland pledged €50 million to counter Child Wasting over the next three years, including in the Horn of Africa
Since 2021, Ireland has contributed over €78 million in direct humanitarian support to the Horn of Africa. In the 2023 Budget announcement on 27 September, a further €30 million was made available for the crisis in Horn of Africa this year. Ireland's overall Official Development Assistance (ODA) Budget for 2023 will be over €1.2 billion, the highest level ever.
