Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

29. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the support being provided by Ireland to Nepal, following the recent devastating earthquake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19174/15]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The earthquake in Nepal on 25 April has resulted in the deaths of over 8,000, with almost 18,000 injured and many thousands displaced. At least 66 people were killed and over 1,000 injured in a further strong earthquake on 12 May.

Following the disaster, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Charlie Flanagan, T.D., and I announced initial assistance of up to €1 million in Irish Aid funding for affected communities in Nepal. This included food, shelter, water, hygiene and basic medical supplies for affected communities. The funding has been provided to Irish NGOs who are working with partners on the ground in Nepal and through Ireland's Rapid Response Initiative.

We have airlifted 63 tonnes of life-saving humanitarian supplies which are most needed in this crisis, including tents, blankets, and tarpaulins, and water and sanitation equipment.

Irish Aid is currently arranging further airlifts of 50 tonnes of supplies to Nepal. These items are being directed to Irish Aid's NGO partners, Goal, Concern and Christian Aid, who are assisting communities in the worst-affected areas. This will bring Ireland's assistance following the disaster to over €1.5 million. A highly skilled member of Ireland's Rapid Response Corps was also deployed to Kathmandu to assist UNICEF in the water and sanitation area.

My officials will continue to liaise with our UN, NGO and Red Cross partners in Nepal on this tragic humanitarian situation and to review what further assistance Ireland can provide for the people most seriously affected.