Ms Isabel Simpson:

I reiterate our call for the committee to voice its concern to the Department of Foreign Affairs and EU counterparts regarding the continued pushback of people from European borders. As Ms Ossig outlined, the European Commission proposal for exceptional measures is making this situation worse for people on the move and is setting a dangerous precedent. European member states committed to protecting vulnerable people should oppose this proposal and instead should seek solutions that put people first and comply with international and EU obligations.

Deputy Stanton commented on the risks our workers face and mentioned the loss of our colleagues in Tigray. We have stringent security conditions in all our operational areas.

Our staff have security training and we have protocols and guidelines in place that hopefully, in the majority, keep our staff safe. It is stressful, as the committee member pointed out. Personally, I worked in the field for 25 years before I came to Dublin to take up this position with MSF Ireland. We know the risk and know the things that can happen but it does not stop the humanitarian impulse and the passion we feel for our work. As a medical organisation, of course, we try to take the best care of all of our staff, whether they are international or locally hired. At the moment, globally, MSF has over 40,000 international and locally hired staff working in over 70 different countries.

Perhaps my colleagues would like to add to that, as they have been involved in this area. In a conflict situation, negotiation with both parties to the conflict is very important to the security of our teams and workers, but acceptance by the local communities and the families and patients we seek to serve is also extremely important.. My colleagues might come in with their field experience of security.