Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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The protracted and tragic crisis in Syria has resulted in unprecedented levels of humanitarian need, requiring a sustained response from the international community. As the number of fatalities rises towards 120,000, including 12,000 children under five, there are now approximately nine million people in need of immediate life-saving support. In addition to more than 6.5 million people who are displaced within Syria, there are currently 2.2 million Syrians who have fled to neighbouring countries. Ireland has been to the fore in the international efforts to help alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people and is one of the most generous contributors to the humanitarian response on a per capita basis. We have provided more than €14 million in assistance since the crisis began, of which almost €11.4 million was provided in 2013. In addition, Ireland is an important donor to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) which this year has allocated US$82 million to Syria and neighbouring countries.

We are currently actively examining future support for Syria and we are preparing for the second pledging conference for Syria and region due to take place in Kuwait on 15 January 2014.

The Government has matched the very significant humanitarian contribution to Syria with support to international efforts to find a sustainable political solution to the crisis. We have called clearly for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. We have urged all parties to the conflict to fully respect international humanitarian law and to refrain from the targeting of civilians. In view of the immense needs in Syria and neighbouring countries hosting Syrian refugees, Ireland will continue to call for increased support to the humanitarian relief effort, both within the EU and internationally.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms ever recorded, hit the Philippines on 8 November with devastating effects. Current estimates indicate that the Typhoon affected more than 14 million people, with almost 4 million remaining displaced, including approximately 1.5 million children. The full human toll of this disaster remains unclear but over 6,000 lives have been lost to date. Ireland was amongst the first to respond to this disaster, providing immediate, life-saving assistance. Our contribution to date stands at over €3.6 million making us one of the most generous contributors to this relief effort on a per capita basis. Over €2.6million in funding has been provided through our key NGO partners. This funding is being used for the provision of emergency food and non-food items; water, sanitation and hygiene; emergency health care and, protection of vulnerable women and children. Ireland’s support will benefit up to 50,000 households. Ireland is making a real difference on the ground.

To date, Ireland has authorised four airlifts of essential relief items from our emergency pre-positioned stocks, the most recent of which arrived in the Philippines on Monday, 2 December. This brings the total amount of essential relief items provided by Ireland to 166 tonnes, valued at approximately €967,000 in total. According to the latest figures, Ireland is the second largest contributor of emergency stocks through the UN World Food Programme (WFP) Humanitarian Response Depot system (second only to the World Food Programme itself). In addition, Ireland deployed five members of its Rapid Response Corps to the Philippines to assist UN relief teams there.

I authorised the deployment of the Government's technical mission which arrived in the Philippines on Thursday 28 November. The purpose of this mission is to obtain a detailed analysis of the longer-term needs of the worst affected regions and to explore ways in which Ireland can most effectively contribute to the recovery process and rebuild for the future.

The team has returned to Dublin and is formulating its recommendations on how best Ireland can assist the Philippines recover from this terrible disaster in the medium to long term. Further financial assistance in 2014 will be considered on the basis of this technical team report.