Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a humanitarian crisis in Karachi in Pakistan and in parts of India where due to bad weather conditions hundreds have perished following storms; if Ireland has pledged aid and assistance to the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18679/07]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The recent storms in Pakistan and India have severely affected some of the most vulnerable communities in the region. It is estimated that hundreds of people may have been killed and thousands have lost their homes as well as their livelihoods.

The worst-affected areas have been in and around Karachi. The Pakistani Red Crescent Society has been active in its response and is providing support to people affected by the storm. Medical teams are working on the ground and have already distributed food and other supplies. Ireland provides substantial support to the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) to build the capacity and response of national societies in emergencies.

In the last twelve months, Ireland has provided €2m to the IFRC specifically to enable them to respond effectively to individual emergencies, such as the current one in Karachi. These funds are allocated on the basis of need.

As the Deputy will be aware, the United Nations has a special Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), established with assistance from Ireland, to enable the UN humanitarian agencies to respond rapidly to emergencies. This year Ireland doubled its contribution to this Fund to €20 million, making Ireland one of the largest donors to the Fund.

Ireland relies on the expertise of our partner humanitarian organisations, such as UN agencies and Non Governmental Organisations, to advise of the needs on the ground. We remain ready to respond to this advice. To date, the Governments of Pakistan and India have not requested international assistance to support their national and local relief efforts.

I can assure the Deputy that Irish Aid will continue to keep in touch with the situation on the ground and will respond flexibly to any developments.