Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia; if efforts are being made to persuade donor governments to adopt a money no object policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16887/08]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The current situation in Ethiopia is of concern to me and is constantly monitored by our Embassy in Addis Ababa. The situation in parts of Ethiopia appears to be deteriorating with escalating numbers of moderately and severely malnourished people presenting at nutrition centres. The fact that many adolescents are already severely malnourished indicates a critical situation already in the making. The failure of the so-called "small rains" is a major contributory factor to the emerging crisis.

We are in regular contact with humanitarian agencies on the ground to keep appraised of the latest developments. A member of our Rapid Response Corps has been deployed with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) as a humanitarian affairs officer, and my Department is in regular contact with him regarding the situation.

Ireland provided over €40 million in development and humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia in 2007. One of the key priorities is to prevent, as far as possible, people falling into absolute hunger and destitution through a targeted programme of social protection, entitled the Productive Safety Nets Programme.

We are now increasing our assistance to this programme to over €11 million in order to target the most food insecure in the current crisis. More than seven million vulnerable people will be covered by this aid. We are also making a further €3 million available for programmes to assist the rural poor, inter alia, to diversify their crops and purchase new farming assets. Further assistance will be made available as necessary.

We are also funding our NGO partners working in Ethiopia, particularly in the area of livelihoods. Additionally we have made over €22 million available to the UN Central Emergency Revolving Fund (CERF), which was established to react rapidly to emergencies of this nature. In 2008, the CERF has made emergency funding of US$9 million available for Ethiopia.

Ireland is working with other donors to ensure that humanitarian financing globally is increased. We also recognise the funding available may be less than identified needs and so we must ensure that the money that is available, is targeted on relieving the suffering of those most in need.