Written answers

Tuesday, 7 July 2020

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Foreign Conflicts

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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331. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made at EU and international level to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Yemen; the steps Ireland has taken in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13738/20]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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335. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions taken by Ireland to date in the European Union and the United Nations to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen; if he has further plans to raise this issue internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13862/20]

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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343. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the unfolding humanitarian disaster in Yemen; the actions he plans to take to highlight this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14290/20]

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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344. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the humanitarian and political situation in Yemen; if Ireland will donate humanitarian aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14309/20]

Photo of Cian O'CallaghanCian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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351. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the aid given to Yemen will be increased in view of the ongoing humanitarian crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14384/20]

Photo of Cian O'CallaghanCian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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352. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the blockade of Yemen; if he has raised the issue at international forums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14385/20]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 331, 335, 343, 344, 351 and 352 together.

Yemen remains the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, driven by conflict, economic collapse and the breakdown of public institutions and services. 24 million people, 80 per cent of the population, are in need of humanitarian assistance.

In both 2019 and 2020 Ireland has provided €5 million in funding to the United Nations Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF). This Fund mobilises and channels funding to NGOs and UN agencies which have the capacity and are best placed to deliver lifesaving assistance to the most vulnerable. In total Ireland has given over €27 million in humanitarian aid directly to Yemen since 2015.

Ireland also provides significant humanitarian funding at the global level, including to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund. Ireland is one of the top ten contributors to the CERF since its establishment in 2006. In 2019, the CERF provided €32 million in funding to Yemen.

As a Member State of the EU, Ireland also contributes to the EU response to the crisis in Yemen. Since the beginning of the conflict in 2015, the EU has allocated €484 million in humanitarian aid.

The roots of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen lies in conflict. Ireland and the EU fully support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, to bring about a political resolution to the conflict. The UN Secretary General’s call in March, later affirmed by the Security Council in Resolution 2532, for a global ceasefire gave a renewed impetus to this work.

I welcome efforts made towards a Joint Declaration between the Government of Yemen and the Houthis which would commit the parties to a nationwide ceasefire, bring forward a number of economic and humanitarian measures, and resume a political process. However, despite the Special Envoy’s efforts over the last three months, agreement has still not been reached.

The cycle of violence continues and has even increased in some areas. I condemn the recent indiscriminate attack on Saudi cities claimed by the Houthis. I also condemn the Coalition air strikes on cities in Yemen. Ireland calls again on the parties to the conflict to comply fully with their obligations under international humanitarian law, and to continue their engagement with the Special Envoy with a view to agreeing a declaration and ceasefire that will be in the best interests of the people of Yemen.

Full, secure and unimpeded access for humanitarian and health workers and supplies to all parts of Yemen, in the spirit of Resolution 2532, would allow lifesaving assistance to reach those in greatest need.

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