Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 129: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the militarisation of aid to Afghanistan. [7154/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The prospects for sustainable development Afghanistan are directly linked to the establishment of peace and security in Afghanistan and the surrounding region. Decades of conflict, combined with frequent natural disasters, have left much of the Afghan population in a very vulnerable position. It is estimated that 42% of the population lives on less than US$1 per day. Clearly, Afghanistan will require substantial humanitarian and development assistance for many years to come.

The primary role of the international military forces now in Afghanistan is to assist the Afghan Government in establishing a secure and stable environment. International military forces also support security sector reform through, for example, mentoring and training of the Afghan National Army. In providing this type of assistance, the military have a clearly defined role.

International military personnel in Afghanistan are also engaged in some areas of development and humanitarian assistance normally conducted by civilian actors, primarily at the provincial and district level through Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs). In certain circumstances, the use of military structures and assets to channel such assistance may be appropriate. For example, in very insecure environments, PRTs may provide the only available option to deliver much-needed aid.

Ireland's clear position is that military assets and capabilities should only be used to channel humanitarian assistance in very limited circumstances, where there is no comparable civilian alternative and where only the use of military assets can meet a critical humanitarian need.

Last year, Ireland supported the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) as it re-established a presence in Afghanistan. This was in recognition of OCHA's role both in humanitarian coordination and as an advocate for the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence in the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Ireland's humanitarian and development funding to Afghanistan is provided through UN and Non-Governmental Organisation partners, as well as through a World Bank administered Trust Fund in support of the Afghan Government. Irish Aid does not use military structures to channel assistance in Afghanistan. Through Irish Aid, the Government allocated a total of €5.2 million to Afghanistan in 2009, including support for mine clearance, food assistance and the security of humanitarian personnel.