Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the ongoing situation in the Horn of Africa with particular reference to war, famine, starvation, human rights, ethnic cleansing and genocide; the extent to which the international community is bringing positive pressure to bear on the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2600/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which overseas development aid continues to be required at previously identified locations throughout the world; the extent of the new demands that have presented in the past 12 months; the degree to which the international community is collectively responding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2603/12]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 119 together.

During 2011 many countries, particularly those in Africa, continued to face significant developmental and humanitarian challenges. Global turbulence, such as the continuing financial and economic crisis and volatile food prices, had a major impact on food security. Ongoing and protracted conflicts caused untold suffering for millions of people. At the same time, millions more continued to live with the effects of natural disasters and their legacies.

In many instances, people already affected by crises faced additional threats, with their livelihoods made more insecure by the effects of climate change. An earthquake in Japan demonstrated that even high-income countries with sophisticated preparedness mechanisms in place can still fall victim to disaster. Elsewhere in 2011, contested elections in Côte d'Ivoire led to countrywide violence and needless death and destruction. The birth of a new country in South Sudan, the UN's newest member, was a milestone and largely peaceful, but followed by some violence and displacement. Instances of cholera spread across large swathes of Central Africa and to Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, and already struggling to overcome the devastating 2010 earthquake. Meanwhile, massive flooding led to further suffering and loss in Pakistan, Colombia, Thailand, the Philippines and much of Central America. In the Sahel region of western Africa, indicators at the end of last year were already pointing to alarming levels of food shortages and a potential crisis ahead.

Tackling such challenges is not easy. Indeed, the situation in many countries remains fragile and some of those receiving help today will continue to require assistance in the years ahead. Meeting these demands requires not only an effective humanitarian and emergency response: it also means preparing for new crises, building resilience and working with development actors to address the underlying causes of conflict and disaster. It is tackling these challenges, comprehensively, coherently and effectively that has gained Ireland its international reputation in the field of development cooperation and humanitarian endeavour.

Confronting these difficulties also requires financial commitment – and I am proud to say that the Ireland has played its part in this regard, through the provision of over €66 million in official emergency, humanitarian or recovery-related funding and direct assistance in 2011 as a key part of our projected overall development assistance outturn of €659 million. While total figures for humanitarian aid provided by other donors in 2011 are not yet available, the UN said late last year that it expected to match the contribution of over US $7 billion made in 2010 to its Consolidated Appeals Process, which benefitted over 380 humanitarian organisations in 27 countries and helped 55 million people.

Perhaps no region better illustrates the scale of the challenges involved than the Horn of Africa, where ongoing drought in 2011 left 12 million people in desperate need of assistance. The epicentre of the crisis continues to be felt today in conflict-ridden Somalia, where 250,000 people are estimated by the UN to be living in famine conditions. The overall situation in much of the south of the country remains dire and access and the delivery of humanitarian assistance remains hugely problematic, with Al Shabaab revoking the operations of a number of humanitarian organisations in areas under its control. Across the Somali border however, a much more positive picture is already emerging in Ethiopia and Kenya; two countries whose authorities have worked hard over many years to build resilience and enhance the coping mechanisms of those vulnerable to external shocks or disasters. Thanks in part to support from Ireland, instruments such as Ethiopia's Productive Safety Nets Programme, have already saved many hundreds of thousands of lives from the worst effects of this crisis.

For its part, the Government remains actively involved at EU and international level in pushing for a strongly coordinated approach to the humanitarian crisis in the region. I particularly look forward to my own upcoming visit to Ethiopia, where I will have the opportunity to discuss some of the issues involved and to exchange views on ways in which we can ensure sustainable long-term food security across the region as a whole. In this context, I can assure the Deputy that we will continue to call on the international community to increase its efforts in the period ahead.

Finally, at a national level, total Irish Aid funding allocated towards the relief effort in the Horn now stands at almost €12 million and will reach at least €20 million by the end of this year.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he has identified or prioritised the locations to which Irish bilateral or multilateral aid should be focused both directly and through non-governmental organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2604/12]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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As Minister of State with responsibility for the development programme, I am very conscious of the need to ensure that development aid reaches the areas or locations of greatest need and that it makes a real difference there. Our aid programme has an international reputation for its quality, its effectiveness and for making a real difference in the lives of millions of poor people.

All Government funding for overseas development assistance is strongly linked to the objectives outlined in the White Paper on Irish Aid. To ensure this is effectively delivered to those most in need in developing countries, we work in partnership with Governments, local communities, Non Governmental Organisations, and key multilateral partners such as the United Nations and the European Union.

The White Paper is very clear that the Irish Aid programme focuses its work on the least developed countries of sub-Saharan Africa, and, in particular, on the poorest and most vulnerable within those countries. Over 70 per cent of assistance goes to sub-Saharan Africa. It aims to build capacity in our priority countries to deliver essential services such as education, health and social protection. It aims to provide these services within a framework of good governance and respect for human rights. Through our programmes of development cooperation Ireland is assisting in putting in place the foundations of a sustainable and prosperous future in Africa, when development assistance will no longer be necessary and where our relations will be informed by mutual interests and good relations.