Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
91. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the action Ireland is taking to provide humanitarian and medical aid to the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13516/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra92. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the assistance provided to Turkey and Syria following the recent earthquake; the amount of aid that has been disbursed; the plans for further assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13612/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has engaged with his counterparts in Turkey and Syria in relation to the devastating earthquakes in the two countries; what Ireland’s response to these catastrophes will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13388/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 91, 92 and 106 together.
The Government has provided €10 million in emergency assistance for the victims of the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. This package of support includes over 235 tonnes of emergency supplies of tents, thermal blankets, solar lamps, hygiene kits, kitchen sets and water jerry cans, worth €1.4 million.
The response from Ireland in the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes focused on critical lifesaving needs including medical care delivered by Ireland’s partners already on the ground and equipped to provide such care immediately.
These long-standing humanitarian partners include the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies, United Nations agencies and Irish NGOs active in the region. All have a proven track record in crisis response. Two members of Ireland’s Rapid Response roster have also been deployed with UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination teams in Türkiye.
Ireland’s funding to the Red Cross has enabled support to the Turkish Red Crescent in deploying their medical response units countrywide as part of the emergency response in Türkiye. Funding to other partners has prioritised the provision of shelter, food, cash, essential household items, water and hygiene kits to thousands of affected people in Türkiye and Northwest Syria.
Humanitarian aid into the Northwest of Syria is dependent on cross-border deliveries from Türkiye under a UN resolution renewed following Ireland's leadership on the UN Security Council. Following the earthquakes, a UN-brokered deal with the Syrian Government allowed for the use of an additional two border gates for a three-month period. Ireland has been supporting the UN to deliver aid in convoy through these routes.
As well as direct assistance, Ireland is responding to the emergency though our prepositioned contributions to multilateral humanitarian agencies, such as the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). The CERF has allocated a total of $50 million to provide urgent life-saving assistance to those affected by the disaster.
On 10 February, the Tánaiste spoke by phone with Türkiye’s Foreign Minister, Mevlüt Çavusoglu. He expressed sympathy and condolences with the people of Türkiye, and outlined the immediate humanitarian assistance from Ireland. He also wrote jointly with his Norwegian counterpart to express sympathy to the Governor of Hatay Province.
