Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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99. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps that can be taken to ensure that the victims of various natural disasters, whether from storm, earthquake or disease, continue to receive international aid commensurate to their situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28346/18]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Natural disasters can spark off a new crisis or worsen an existing one. According to the UN, in 2016 445 million people were affected by disasters linked to natural hazards worldwide including floods, storms, earthquakes and drought; 8,000 people directly lost their lives; and immediate economic losses from major disaster events were estimated at almost $140 billion. Climate change, together with poverty and poor environmental management, means that an increasing number of countries, poor countries in particular, are becoming increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters.

A priority for Ireland in responding to humanitarian crises is ensuring that life-saving assistance reaches those most in need, as quickly as possible. Ireland works with our UN, EU, Red Cross and NGO partners to reach those in most urgent need of assistance when crises hit. For example, in response to the eruption of the Fuego Volcano in Guatemala on 3 June 2018, Ireland provided €75,000 to Plan International to assist with shelter for those affected. Similarly, in 2017, in response to flooding and mudslides in Sierra Leone, Ireland deployed emergency relief supplies via the Rapid Response Initiative to our partner NGOs to help people affected.

In addition, Ireland provides core support to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction worth €0.5m to help them build capacity in Ireland’s key partner countries to prepare for and manage the impact of disasters.

Ireland remains committed to providing humanitarian assistance where it is needed most, working with partners who can ensure that such assistance is delivered in a coordinated and effective manner.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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100. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the ten most sensitive recognised disaster areas globally to which the international community have promised or are delivering aid and which have received support as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28347/18]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The scale and number of humanitarian crises globally continues to increase. The UN estimates that 134.1 million people are now in need of urgent humanitarian assistance and protection, mainly as a result of conflict but also natural disaster. The annual Global Humanitarian Overview, published by the UN system last week details the current financial requirements to respond to humanitarian needs in 2018. It estimates that $25.4 billion is needed this year to respond effectively to urgent humanitarian needs.

The ten largest appeals set out in this UN document are:

In 2017, despite some not insignificant shortfalls, the international community provided record levels of funding and humanitarian assistance, reaching tens of millions of people in need, more than ever before, saving millions of lives.

Ireland’s humanitarian assistance prioritises the most vulnerable and hard to reach people at risk from, or experiencing, disasters and emergencies. Ireland provided humanitarian assistance to each of these top ten appeals in 2017, and plans to continue doing so in 2018. In total, Irish humanitarian funding amounted to some €180 million in 2017 and a similar level of assistance is envisaged in 2018.

Humanitarian crises worldwide are monitored, with decisions on funding informed by an assessment of need which prioritises the allocation of humanitarian resources.

In partnership with the UN, EU, Red Cross and NGOs, every day Ireland helps save lives and rebuild the livelihoods of those who have endured disaster and crisis. For example, in 2017, humanitarian funding to Irish NGOs helped to save and improve the lives of over 1.5 million people affected by emergencies in 28 countries.

Ireland will continue to closely monitor humanitarian need worldwide and provide its humanitarian assistance on the basis of need to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most.