Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he acknowledges that the most appropriate way of marking the 20th anniversary of the murder of six Jesuits, their housekeeper and her daughter in El Salvador by anti-democratic forces, is for him to respond generously to the loss of life and homes of some of the poorest people in EL Salvador as a result of Hurricane Ida. [42163/09]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is referring to the extra-judicial killings of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter on 16 November 1989 in the Jesuit residence at the University of Central America in San Salvador. A 1991 report by the UN-sponsored truth commission concluded that this massacre had been perpetrated by members of the Salvadoran military.

These brutal killings were among 75,000 others that occurred during El Salvador's civil war in the 1980s and the early 1990s. The wave of international outrage and condemnation that followed the deaths of these innocent Jesuits, their housekeeper and her daughter was instrumental in bringing an end to the war through the UN-brokered peace agreement.

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of these deaths, it is fitting that we remember these and all of the victims of the civil war in El Salvador. We acknowledge the great progress made there since those dark days.

Today the people of El Salvador are facing the tragic consequences of a natural disaster. Hurricane Ida, accompanied by torrential rainfall, has had a devastating impact on vulnerable communities in at least five Salvadoran departments. The exceptionally heavy rains caused floods and landslides, with at least 144 reported deaths, and many thousands displaced. I sympathise sincerely with those who have been affected by this disaster and in particular those who have lost loved ones.

On 8 November, the Government of El Salvador declared a state of national emergency. The Salvadorian authorities, supported by local and international humanitarian agencies, are now providing emergency assistance to those affected by the floods and landslides. This includes temporary shelter, food, water, first aid materials, blankets and clothing.

Drawing on pre-positioned support from Ireland and other humanitarian donors, the International Federation of the Red Cross was immediately able to respond to the crisis with an emergency contribution of over €120,000. This contribution has been used by the Salvadoran Red Cross to distribute essential relief items, such as blankets, kitchen sets and hygiene kits.

Ireland is currently the third largest donor to the disaster relief emergency fund of the International Federation of the Red Cross. This fund ensures that emergency resources can be rapidly and efficiently disbursed to where they are most needed when disaster strikes. The rapid response of the Red Cross in El Salvador demonstrates once again the value and effectiveness of pre-positioned funding.

I will continue to keep the situation in El Salvador under review. Following detailed needs assessment missions over recent days, a UN-co-ordinated humanitarian appeal will be launched today in New York. On receipt and consideration of this and any other appeals, I will determine whether additional emergency funding by Irish Aid would be appropriate.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Ellacuría when I visited El Salvador in 1981, eight years before his murder. He, his five Jesuit colleagues, their housekeeper and her daughter were savagely murdered, principally because they had adopted the option for the poor and were organising in the poorest districts of El Salvador.

My question refers to the 20th anniversary of the killings, which was yesterday, and implies it would be a very good idea to respond generously to the loss of life and homes of some of the poorest people in EL Salvador as a result of Hurricane Ida. There have been mudslides previously in El Salvador, particularly along the border with Honduras. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs offered assistance on the last occasion and it would be worthwhile considering this again. The deputy director of the UN co-ordination mechanism was visiting Ireland and I raised the matter with her in respect of the organisation's meeting in New York.

The lowest estimate of the number of lives lost is 144. People's homes have been simply destroyed. There has been a significant displacement of the population. The Minister correctly identified that a number of Irish organisations, including Trócaire, which is represented by Sally O'Neill-Sanchez, are in a position to put a preparatory mechanism in place. It would be appropriate after the New York meeting that they would be considered for direct assistance to deal with this humanitarian tragedy.

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with Deputy Higgins that the loss of life, currently 144, somehow masks the many thousands of people who have been displaced. That is one of the real issues in terms of aid. I acknowledge Deputy Higgins's long-standing interest in this area, especially at the time of the civil war in the 1980s and 1990s.

This type of humanitarian disaster underscores the importance of pre-positioned supplies. One often needs to get aid to an area in a matter of days, if not hours. The delivery of aid to where it is urgently required on the ground must be rapid and efficient. In terms of the assistance at this stage, somewhat removed from the disaster itself, best practice would dictate that we would consider the outcome of a needs assessment. Each disaster, be it Cyclone Nargis which hit Burma-Myanmar last year, which killed more than 125,000 people, or this hurricane, deserves a response commensurate with the needs assessment carried out by experts on the ground. That is something I intend to do once I receive the report.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response. I am anxious that he would confirm after the meeting in New York when the needs assessment has been done that the Government will be open to making such small grant as might be available to make a quick response, rather like it did before.

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that.