Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

176. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria and adjoining areas will be discussed at the next European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15079/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland has strongly engaged with the efforts of the European Union to promote a political resolution of the current conflict in Syria. We have repeatedly stressed that only a political solution can achieve a sustainable peace in Syria. We will also continue to address the humanitarian consequences of the conflict and provide urgent assistance and support to the civilian populations within Syria and neighbouring countries who have been displaced or suffered violations of their rights. Syria has been discussed regularly at meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council. At present, it is not on the agenda for the meeting on 20 April. However, at the most recent meeting, in March, a strategy was adopted outlining how the EU and its Member States can counter the threat posed by ISIS and help restore peace and security in Syria and Iraq. At the December meeting of the Council, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan di Mistura, discussed measures to address the acute security and humanitarian situation, as well as possible steps to move towards a political process. The protracted crisis in Syria and the region has resulted in immense humanitarian need. More than 200,000 people have lost their lives, and there are now over 12.2 million people in need of immediate life-saving support within Syria. Due to the violence and the lack of access to aid, 3.8 million people have left Syria for neighbouring countries. The crisis has had a particularly devastating impact on civilians, as recent events in Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus show. Ireland is particularly mindful of the impact of the crisis on neighbouring countries which are supporting large populations of vulnerable Syrian refugees. We also remain gravely concerned about barriers to humanitarian access in Syria and have consistently advocated for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access and respect by all parties for International Humanitarian Law.

The EU is the main donor in response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria, providing a total of €3.6 billion since the outset of the conflict. Ireland has played its part as one of the most generous international contributors to the humanitarian response on a per capita basis, and has provided over €32 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria since 2011, through UN partners, NGOs and the Red Cross. At the recent UN Pledging Conference for Syria, which took place in Kuwait on 31 March, my colleague, Minister of State Sherlock, announced an additional pledge of €12 million on behalf of the Irish government which will be used to provide lifesaving assistance to those in need in Syria and in neighbouring countries over the course of 2015. This pledge will bring Ireland’s total contribution to the Syria crisis to €41 million.