Despite progress in the fight against poverty and hunger over decades, conflict and the impact of climate change are now driving unprecedented levels of food insecurity. Disasters, often induced by climate, are increasing in intensity and frequency. The World Food Programme estimates that over 345 million people worldwide are living in acute food insecurity.
In response, we have increased the levels of Ireland's humanitarian assistance. In 2022 humanitarian spend reached a record €297.8 million, an increase of 31% on the previous year, and the figures for 2023 will be higher.
Ireland’s humanitarian assistance is provided by way of bilateral and multilateral aid and is channeled through a range of trusted partners: UN agencies, the Red Cross family and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Our funding is focused on the most severe humanitarian crises. In 2023 Ireland responded to devastating earthquakes in Syria and Türkiye, the earthquake in Morocco and floods in Libya. We also continued to support vulnerable populations experiencing acute hunger – including in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sudan, Ukraine and Yemen. Since October 7th, €20 million has been provided in response to the suffering caused by the conflict in Gaza.
During our tenure at the UN Security Council, in 2021 and 2022, Ireland advocated for urgent action to address the plight of vulnerable populations affected by conflict-induced hunger. As Co-Chair of the UN Group of Friends on Conflict and Hunger we continue to do so. Last week, for instance, we hosted a meeting at our Mission in New York to discuss urgent action to address the catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity as a result of the continuing conflict in Gaza.
