Written answers

Thursday, 16 July 2015

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Humanitarian Aid

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

635. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 502 of 23 June 2015, if any of his officials visited Tbilisi in Georgia to gather first-hand information on the damage caused, and to assess what practical assistance Ireland can provide; if he has been in contact with his counterpart in Georgia offering assistance, in particular Irish expertise in flood defence measures, to help prevent a recurrence of damage caused by flooding. [30391/15]

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

The flooding in Tbilisi last month had terrible consequences, including a death toll of at least 20. I wrote at the time to my Georgian counterpart to express the deepest condolences of the Irish Government. More recently, President Higgins attended a memorial service in Dublin for the victims of the floods, at which the Georgian Chargé d’Affaires and members of the Georgian community in Ireland were present. My Department was represented at official level.Ireland’s humanitarian funding is channelled through our UN and NGO partners, and no request has been made to date by UN humanitarian response operations to deploy members of Ireland’s Rapid Response Corps to Georgia to assist with relief efforts and the clean-up, nor have we received any requests for humanitarian funding from our NGO partners. The EU is providing €400,000 in humanitarian assistance for families affected by the floods. This funding is supporting the Georgian Red Cross and Non-Governmental Organisations to deliver relief, including food, household items, and water, sanitation and hygiene support. In addition, up to €3 million will be made available by the EU to help provide durable housing solutions. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will work through the EU in providing assistance to the people of Georgia at this difficult time.

Irish officials closely monitored the situation in the aftermath of the flooding. In particular Irish citizens resident in Georgia were contacted to establish if any had suffered as a result of the flooding. I can confirm to the House that no Irish citizen was among the victims of this tragedy.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.