Written answers

Thursday, 23 June 2016

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Humanitarian Aid

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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192. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to ensure the money provided by Ireland to refugee camps is being used in a manner that will improve, in practical and tangible terms, the quality of life for refugees living in the camps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17646/16]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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With 65 million people displaced from their homes worldwide, the plight of refugees is a priority for our humanitarian and development assistance. Through Irish Aid, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides humanitarian assistance for refugees forced to live in camps and those living in host communities, and supports their livelihoods through a range of channels. The United Nations' High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has long been one of Ireland's key multilateral partners. I was very pleased that this year we were in a position to increase our core funding to UNHCR to €7 million, from €5.8 million in 2015. This reflects Irelands strong emphasis on the vital work of the agency, particularly in the context of the ongoing migration and refugee crisis.

In addition to the provision of financial support, we engage in strategic policy dialogue with UNHCR through our membership of its governing body, the Executive Committee, and through high level bilateral meetings. This enables us to monitor the work of UNHCR, focussing on strengthening the Results-Based Management approach to its operations, and in particular the systematic use of standards and indicators to measure and ensure the well-being of refugees under its protection.

We also provide targeted assistance to refugees living in camps through our partners on the ground, providing assistance to a number of refugee camps in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. For example, in addition to our core funding, we have provided €2 million to UNHCR since 2015 to implement its South Sudan regional response plan. We have also provided over €2 million since 2014 to our NGO partners for lifesaving emergency services to South Sudanese refugees in the Gambella camps in Ethiopia and the Adjumani camps in northern Uganda. In the Middle East, last year we provided €500,000 to UNICEF in Jordan for water and sanitation facilities in Azraq refugee camp and a further €800,000 to UNHCR specifically for their work with Syrian refugees in the country.

In addition, the Department, through its Rapid Response Initiative, has airlifted humanitarian relief supplies such as blankets and tents to refugee camps hosting South Sudanese, Syrian and Nigerian refugees fleeing violence and conflict.

Ireland is also a longstanding supporter of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in delivering humanitarian and development assistance to some 5 million Palestine refugees. During my visit to the Middle East last week, I announced funding of €4.5 million for UNRWA for its work in delivering core services, especially education and health. As a member of UNRWA’s Advisory Commission, we work to ensure full support for the critical work of the Agency.

While the need exists, I am determined that we will continue our work through our UN and NGO partners in refugee camps and in communities hosting large refugee populations to improve living conditions and to ensure that basic needs are met. All these partners are subject to regular monitoring and review to ensure the effectiveness of this work.

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