Gino Kenny
Ceist:175. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline Ireland’s humanitarian response to the situation in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50198/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 30 November 2023
Ceisteanna (175, 201, 227)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:201. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the level of humanitarian aid his Department is providing to citizens of Gaza; how much of that aid is getting through; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49605/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Ceist:227. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in light of the recent EU Council, his Department’s work on ensuring that water, food, fuel and medical supplies are being provided to the people in Gaza as part of a unified international humanitarian response; that any fuel assistance provided not be abused by Hamas, and that Irish citizens in Gaza are brought home safely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49760/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 175, 201 and 227 together.
Since the appalling Hamas violence on 7 October and the start of the Israeli military operation, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has continued to deteriorate. The UN has increased its flash appeal for aid to a total of $1.2 billion to provide assistance to 2.2 million people in Gaza and 500,000 in the West Bank.
In response, on 18 October, the Government announced immediate additional Irish humanitarian assistance of €13 million for Gaza, through the United Nations. This additional funding brings Ireland’s support to the people of Palestine to €29 million so far this year. The new funding comprises:
• €10 million in additional core funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides essential services to 5.7 million Palestine refugees in Gaza, the West Bank and also in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.
• €3 million to the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs’ (UN OCHA) Occupied Palestinian Territories Humanitarian Fund. It is being used to deliver humanitarian assistance and protection through International and local organisations.
Ireland also provides prepositioned funds to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The CERF has already allocated $15 million for Gaza. The WHO has released $15m in funding for medical response in Gaza, and for readiness in the region. We are keeping further humanitarian assistance under close review.
We have called on other donors to increase their assistance to meet the huge needs of the people of Gaza at this time. The EU Commission has just completed a review of all EU assistance to Palestine, which concluded there has been no diversion of funds.
We welcome the agreement between Israel and Hamas on a pause in violence and the release of some hostages held in Gaza, and the releases which have taken place. We hope that the agreement will be extended and have repeatedly called for a humanitarian ceasefire. Gaza’s civilian population urgently need further deliveries of fuel, food, water, and medical supplies, on a sustained basis and at scale. Ultimately, the situation can only be addressed through the restitution of a credible political process towards a two state solution.
I am also pleased to confirm that 51 citizens and dependants have now been assisted to depart Gaza.