Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I appreciate that from Deputy Martin on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party. It is an appalling situation which we see unfolding on television screens across the world. I understand this crisis has now peaked, with the United Nations declaring a famine in two regions of southern Somalia, Bakool and Lower Shabelle. I understand 3.7 million people are in crisis and 78,000 Somalis have fled the country to seek assistance. Malnutrition rates in Somalia are currently the highest in the world. In the last months, tens of thousands of Somali people have died as a result of malnutrition.

The Government has provided €5.6 million to UN agencies, Concern, Trócaire, GOAL and World Vision for emergency food and water, sanitation and health care. Some €750,000 of this funding will help the UN World Food Programme to increase dramatically the distribution of highly nutritious foodstuffs to young children and pregnant women. A further €250,000 is being provided to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for shelter, health care, water and sanitation for the Somali refugees who are fleeing to Ethiopia and Kenya. In addition, 11 members of the Rapid Response Corps administered by Irish Aid have been deployed to the region. As the Deputy is aware, the corps is made up of highly skilled volunteers who work with the UN and other humanitarian agencies in a crisis situation.

I have spoken to the Chairman of the foreign affairs committee, Deputy Pat Breen, who has called an emergency meeting for early next week. I thank Deputy Martin for his offer of support in whatever decision the committee might arrive at in order to add further to what Ireland can do as part of a European response to this first famine of the 21st century.

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