Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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155. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if demands for humanitarian aid continue to rise at various locations globally; if the international community is adequately addressing the cause in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12378/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The international community is currently challenged by an unprecedented scale of humanitarian need globally. Conflict is a major driver of humanitarian need, and 80 per cent of humanitarian work is now in countries affected by conflict. Over 60 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes, the highest number since the Second World War. This year the El Niño weather effect has also had a significant impact in many countries, most notably in Africa, leading to a spike in humanitarian need.

In announcing its 2016 global appeal in December 2015, the United Nations requested $20.1 billion in humanitarian funding to meet the needs of over 87 million people, a significant increase on its request for $16.1 billion in 2015. With no sign of an end to many of the largest humanitarian crises – in Syria, in South Sudan, in Yemen – the gap between needs and funding is a matter for serious concern. Ireland continues to work with our partners to respond actively and effectively to global crises, providing some €140 million in humanitarian assistance last year. Ireland’s largest humanitarian response is to the Syria crisis, and by the end of 2016, Ireland's funding will total €62 million. Ireland also provides humanitarian support to protracted crises in Africa. Last year, after Syria, Ireland’s biggest responses were to crises in South Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and Sudan.

In recognition of the scale of the challenge facing the humanitarian system, earlier this week world leaders, civil society and representatives of the private sector gathered at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul. They discussed how to respond more effectively to humanitarian challenges, and how to better prepare to meet the challenges of the future. President Higgins and my colleague, Minister of State McHugh, spoke strongly on Ireland’s commitment to humanitarian action.

A major theme for many at the Summit was the need to resolve conflicts and promote peace and security, so as ultimately to bring an end to humanitarian need. This will require action far beyond the humanitarian realm, and I believe that all at the Summit were united behind that message. However, it will require strong, sustained political leadership, including by the UN Security Council, to bring about a reduction in conflict globally.