Written answers

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Humanitarian Aid

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

135. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he raised at the EU summit the worsening humanitarian crises in South Sudan, Iraq, Syria and Ukraine. [28983/14]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The international community is facing an unprecedented number of simultaneous humanitarian crises, in particular in South Sudan, Iraq and Syria. Ireland is playing a significant role in providing assistance through the UN and other agencies delivering vital services to the affected populations.

The situation in Ukraine, while deeply worrying, does not so far involve a humanitarian crisis of similar proportions. It has, of course, been high on the agenda at EU and other international meetings I have participated in.

The situation in South Sudan was discussed in detail at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 17 March 2014. Subsequently, on 15 May, the African Union and the EU met in Brussels and jointly welcomed the 9 May agreement, urging the parties to fully implement all agreements that have been signed to date. The Foreign Affairs Council of EU Development Ministers also discussed developments on 19 May. My colleague, the Minister for Trade and Development, Mr. Joe Costello T.D., highlighted the need for progress by the EU in implementing a comprehensive approach to the political, security, and development crises in South Sudan. At the South Sudan pledging conference in Oslo on 20 May, Ireland pledged €2million in assistance for the emergency operations of UN and NGO partners. Our pledge has been fulfilled.

The deteriorating situation in Iraq is a matter of very serious concern. There are now almost two million people displaced within Iraq. The crisis was discussed with EU colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 June, at which the Council agreed Conclusions condemning the recent violent attacks and wide scale reports of atrocities. The Council also expressed serious concern at the humanitarian situation and the displacement of large numbers of people from their homes.

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. In view of the immense needs in Syria and neighbouring countries hosting Syrian refugees, announced a pledge of €12 million in humanitarian assistance at the Pledging Conference for Syria in Kuwait in January. Since 2011, we have provided a total of just over €28 million in humanitarian assistance for victims of the Syrian crisis.

We have matched our humanitarian contribution with concrete support to international efforts to find a sustainable political solution to the crisis, and we have advocated for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, as well as for respect by all parties of International Humanitarian Law. In view of the immense needs in Syria and neighbouring countries, Ireland will continue to call for increased support to the humanitarian relief, as well as for the full and immediate implementation by all parties to the conflict of UN Security Council Resolution 2139 on Humanitarian Assistance in Syria.

I discussed the humanitarian situation in Ukraine with European colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 June. The Council expressed concern about the rapidly deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, as highlighted by the latest report of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. We called on all sides to do their utmost to protect civilians and recalled the importance of allowing humanitarian organizations perform their vital work, guided by the principles of neutrality, impartiality and non-discrimination. The Council also expressed support for President Poroshenko's peace plan, which I believe provides the best opportunity for progress towards peace and stability in Ukraine.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.