John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State's response. As he will be well aware, the war has raised fuel prices, which have pushed up the cost of transporting food to some of the poorest parts of the world. Some 45 of the world's poorest countries depend on Ukraine and Russia for a third of their grain supply. The Minister of State referred to the World Food Programme. Prior to the war, it faced a massive funding shortfall that forced it to cut rations in 17 African countries, including Zimbabwe, Chad, South Sudan and Ethiopia. The gap has widened as donors turn their attention to the conflict in Europe. Every day I turn on the radio and listen to the news, I hear of more billions being given to Ukraine to fund its defence against the war. Absolutely, Ukraine has to be defended, but there is a fallout from this and, unfortunately, I do not see similar announcements made in terms of commitments and donations to ensure that the world does not face into a serious humanitarian crisis.

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