Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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124. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in view of the ongoing strife in the Horn of Africa and the likelihood of increased famine and starvation, the EU and UN can mobilise its resources sufficiently to address the issue of starvation and the protection of civilians; if a comprehensive aid programme supported by peacekeeping forces can be organised to address the most serious issues arising in Yemen, Sudan, Somalia and Nigeria; if the African Union can also be engaged to combat the activities of Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab in the short term; if an equally aggressive campaign to supply clean drinking water to the areas in question can be organised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14670/17]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I am deeply concerned by the situation of the more than 20 million people currently facing famine, or threat of famine, in South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and north-east Nigeria.

In 2016, Ireland provided a total of some €195 million in humanitarian assistance to people affected by crisis and conflict, including in the countries mentioned. This funding is directed towards the provision of life-saving assistance including food support, shelter, and the provision of basic services including health, education and water and sanitation. In 2016, we also provided €7.5 million in core funding to UNICEF, the UN Agency which leads efforts, globally, to provide clean drinking water in humanitarian crises.

The continued provision of timely humanitarian assistance to those in need in these countries is crucial, and we are currently preparing a package of assistance for the crises in South Sudan and in Somalia. This will be in addition to the €31 million Ireland has provided to South Sudan since December 2013 and the €27 million provided for Somalia since 2012. In the case of Yemen, Ireland has provided almost €6 million in humanitarian assistance since the conflict began in early 2015 and we intend to maintain similar levels of support in 2017. At the recent Oslo Conference, Ireland made an indicative commitment of at least €5 million in humanitarian funding for 2017 for north-east Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.

Intractable conflict is the main driver of the humanitarian emergencies for people in these countries. It is clear that action at political level and by humanitarian organisations is required to protect the rights of the populations affected. Ireland is working with our international partners, including the EU and the UN, to support a strong focus on the need for peaceful resolution of these conflicts. The EU has pledged up to €50 million in support of the Multinational Joint Taskforce to combat Boko Haram, which supports 8,700 troops from Nigeria and neighbouring countries to promote regional security. The EU is also funding the African Union peacekeeping Mission in Somalia, AMISOM, which is mandated by the UN Security Council to reduce the threat posed by Al-Shabab.

Together with our EU and UN partners, we will continue to monitor these four crises closely and to provide significant life-saving humanitarian assistance for those in most need.