Ms Jane-Ann McKenna:

What we have tried to articulate in different statements - and numbers often do not tell the full story or realise the full impact - and what we will see play out in the next few months is some of those predictions coming through from UN aid and The Lancet in respect of the level of death and devastation as well as the impact Mr. Crowley spoke about regarding malnutrition on a scale we have not seen before.

When we look at the next MFF, and Ms Cranfield will be able to speak a little bit more to this more, this is why we talk about the vital importance of having separate instruments that can follow the money and that we can ensure the funding is allocated to where we want and need it to go. What we are seeing is a growing trend at an EU level towards a more transactional approach and investment which is global gateway programme.

Yes, we need to invest and we can look at investing in countries and in their infrastructure but you cannot do this in isolation. You also need to ensure there is a parallel approach which very much targets the most vulnerable, those who are the furthest behind and in the least developed countries. This is not being prioritised at EU level. We are not seeing that coming through in any of the documents which have been developed with regard to where the least developed countries are sitting and where we are going to see that focus not only in terms of the humanitarian response but in terms of long-term poverty alleviation to avoid future humanitarian crises. Ms Cranfield might be able to speak to that in more detail.