Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

735. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which humanitarian aid continues to be made available in the regions throughout the globe currently most affected by conflict; if adequate steps have been taken to ensure the availability of aid and-or the establishment of safe havens for civilians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28943/15]

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

The core objective of Ireland’s humanitarian assistance is to save and protect lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity, before, during and in the aftermath of humanitarian crises, including in regions affected by conflict. Ireland's humanitarian response is underpinned a strong commitment to the humanitarian principles of independence, neutrality, impartiality and humanity. The international community is currently challenged by an unprecedented scale of humanitarian need globally, with 80 per cent of those in need of humanitarian assistance living in situations of conflict. Ireland’s Official Development Assistance budget includes specific funding to enable Irish Aid to respond to emergencies. Last year, we dedicated €85 million to provide lifesaving humanitarian aid to vulnerable people across the world, including those affected by conflict. In March, Ireland pledged further funding of €12 million to help meet the urgent needs of those affected by the Syria conflict in 2015. This will bring the total value of the Government’s response to the crisis in Syria to over €41 million. This year we have also provided humanitarian funding in response to the needs of conflict-affected people Libya and Yemen. In addition, we are responding to the humanitarian situation in Northern Nigeria, where conflict has displaced civilian populations and has affected neighbouring countries, Chad and Cameroon. We will continue to respond to the effects of conflict in other regions, including South Sudan and Central African Republic.

At a global level, Ireland is a major supporter of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which is often the best placed to provide assistance in conflict situations and where other organisations cannot operate, such as Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Last year, Ireland provided over €9 million to the ICRC to support its global operations in conflict contexts and we intend to maintain this level of support in 2015.

On 2 July, I addressed the first ever Irish Humanitarian Summit, which took place in UCD and was opened by President Higgins. One of the key themes which emerged was the importance of serving the needs of people affected by conflict. Ireland will continue to highlight this issue in the lead up to the World Humanitarian Summit, an initiative of the UN Secretary General, which will be held in Istanbul in May 2016.