Written answers

Wednesday, 13 July 2011

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Overseas Development Aid

6:00 pm

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 23: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline his response to the rapidly emerging food crisis in Somalia; and if he will undertake to co-ordinate an intensive EU response to the crisis. [20079/11]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he has taken or proposes to take unilaterally or in conjunction with his EU or UN colleagues to address the issues of starvation in the Horn of Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20344/11]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 58: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the international community has addressed the issues arising from drought and associated issues in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda and other countries in the region; if a review of long-term planning is required to deal with the situation now emerging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20345/11]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 57 and 58 together.

As Deputies will be aware from recent media coverage, Somalia and the Horn of Africa region more generally are experiencing the most severe food crisis in the world today. Between 10 and 12 million people in Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda are affected. The immediate cause of the crisis is a prolonged drought and the failure of at least two seasonal rains. Malnutrition across the region is at critical levels. There is particular concern about malnutrition rates among children and refugees fleeing Somalia for Kenya and Ethiopia. Large numbers of livestock are dying, leaving people without their main assets, at the same time as food prices are increasing dramatically. Displacement and refugee flows are increasing, especially from conflict-ridden Somalia.

The Government has been following the developing situation with great concern for several months. Earlier this year, in anticipation of the crisis which many experts had predicted, we pre-approved humanitarian support to the region of €4 million. This funding has been allocated to a range of partners including UN agencies, Concern, Trócaire, Goal and World Vision. It is being used to target some of the most vulnerable populations across the region through the provision of emergency food, water, sanitation and healthcare.

Last week, as the situation deteriorated further, I approved an additional allocation of €400,000 for Concern, which will be used to provide food to 10,000 of the worst-affected people in Somalia, as well as treating 1,800 malnourished children in and around Mogadishu. I also approved the disbursal of €100,000 in funding to Trócaire for emergency livestock restocking, cash for work and waterhole rehabilitation in five regions of Kenya. Irish Aid has deployed 11 members of the Rapid Response Corps to humanitarian agencies working in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda. The Corps is a roster of highly-skilled humanitarian specialists, who can deploy at short notice in the event of an emergency.

Irish Aid officials, together with our Embassy in Addis Ababa, are in close contact with our humanitarian partners across the region, as well as with the United Nations and the authorities of the countries concerned. We are also working closely with the European Commission's Humanitarian Affairs Department which is preparing a comprehensive response and has already announced the provision of over €5 million in funding for refugees arriving at the Dadaab camp in Kenya. Through these contacts, we are assessing the most pressing needs on the ground and the possibilities for further Government assistance in the days ahead.

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