21 Iúil 2011, 13:41
Committee Meets with 7 African Ambassadors to Discuss Crisis
21st July 2011
The CEOs of three of Ireland’s leading overseas aid agencies will attend an unscheduled meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade next week to address the emergency humanitarian situation in the horn of Africa.
Tom Arnold of Concern, Justin Kilcullen of Trociare and Jim Clarken of Oxfam will all appear at meeting of the Committee. Today, the Committee held talks with seven Ambassadors of African nations, including the Ethiopian and Kenyan ambassador to discuss the crisis and determine how Ireland can best respond.
Committee Chairman, Pat Breen TD said;
“The Horn of Africa is currently experiencing the most severe food crisis in the world today. Between 10 and 12 million people in drought stricken areas of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are severely affected.
Ireland’s response has been acknowledged as one of the more committed, Ireland has donated €5.6m to meet the needs of the people of this region and has despatched 11 members of the rapid response core. However, the international reaction has been slow, with an estimated €800 million shortfall existing.
By meeting with the heads of the agencies, who are currently on the ground in these countries and through our discussions with the Ambassadors of some of the affected nations, we will be able to assess the exact nature of the crisis and establish what measures Ireland can take to help avert the catastrophe .”
Click here to view photograph of Chairman, Pat Breen TD meeting with Ambassadors
ENDS
Daniel English
Oireachtas Communications Office
01 618 4484
087 6949926
Committee Membership
Membership
Pat Breen, TD (Chairman)
Eric Byrne, TD
Bernard J Durkan, TD
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, TD
Michael McNamara, TD
Dara Murphy, TD
Dan Neville, TD
Seán Ó Fearghaíl, TD
Maureen O’Sullivan, TD
Senators
Deirdre Clune,
Mark Daly,
Lorraine Higgins,
Michael Mullins,
David Norris,
Jim Walsh.