Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Sudan is facing its worst flooding in three decades.  Weeks of heavy rains have critically affected more than 730,000 Sudanese people.  Sadly, at least 100 people have lost their lives.  The Transitional Government of Sudan declared a national state of emergency on 4 September. 

Ireland has provided development and humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people for many years.  Since 2012, Irish humanitarian funding to Sudan has been over €33 million, enabling the high priority projects implemented by the best placed responders, including UN Agencies as well as international and local NGOs. 

So far this year, Ireland has contributed €3.7 million to humanitarian relief efforts in Sudan, including €3 million to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund and €700,000 to Irish NGOs working in the country, including Trócaire, Concern, GOAL and World Vision. 

In response to the floods, the Sudan Humanitarian Fund has already activated emergency interventions to provide shelter, health, water and sanitation assistance with €7.5 million worth of projects already approved.  A further €4.5 million in emergency funding is available in the pipeline through this Sudan Humanitarian Fund.  

In addition to our direct contribution to Sudan, Ireland contributes €10 million each year to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund - a pool of standby funding available for rapid response by UN Agencies to support humanitarian action wherever needs arise.  This year more nearly €8.5 million has been provided from this Central Fund to support humanitarian needs in Sudan.  Other relevant humanitarian instruments to which Ireland contributes include the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), which has committed over €60 million to humanitarian assistance projects in Sudan in 2020. 

My officials are looking actively, in conjunction with the Embassy of Ireland in Nairobi (which is accredited to Sudan), at additional supports.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

373. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the supports, if any, that are being provided by Ireland to those affected by the fire at the Moria camp on the Greek island of Lesbos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25217/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am deeply saddened by the fire at the Moria camp on Lesbos and the impact this has had on the refugees and migrants based at the camp. It is a relief that there are no reported deaths or injuries, but the very sudden displacement of thousands of people has caused great suffering and created a major humanitarian emergency as well as posing a huge logistical challenge for the Greek authorities in the midst of the COVID pandemic.

My colleague, the Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, spoke with his Greek counterpart on 9 September immediately after the fire to offer Ireland's full solidarity and support. The Greek authorities have requested assistance from EU Partners in dealing with the immediate humanitarian needs arising. My Department, through our Embassy in Athens, has confirmed Ireland’s readiness to provide assistance from our humanitarian logistics base in Brindisi, Italy. The Greek authorities have thanked us for our offer of assistance and we now stand ready to respond to a request for the deployment of emergency humanitarian supplies.

As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have repeatedly urged the need for greater solidarity and burden-sharing among Member States in dealing with the wider issue of migration. We in Ireland are endeavouring to do our part, having already received 1022 asylum seekers (including six unaccompanied minors) from Greece under the first phase of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. We have also committed to accept 36 unaccompanied minors in need of international protection in Greece, and I was pleased that the first group of eight such minors arrived in Ireland last June. In the context of the very difficult situation now arising from the destruction of the Moria refugee camp, the Government has decided to accept another group of four unaccompanied minors, as part of this overall commitment, and is continuing to keep under review what further actions it can take to meet the enormous humanitarian and relocation needs arising from this tragic event.

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

374. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to provide emergency aid to prevent loss of life and illness and to support the evacuation of all of those made homeless by the fires at the Moria camp in Greece; if he will work with other European countries to reform immigration policies to prevent further violation of human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25334/20]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am deeply saddened by the fire at the Moria camp on Lesbos and the impact this has had on the refugees and migrants based at the camp. It is a relief that there are no reported deaths or injuries, but the very sudden displacement of thousands of people has caused great suffering and created a major humanitarian emergency as well as posing a huge logistical challenge for the Greek authorities in the midst of the COVID pandemic.

My colleague, the Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, spoke with his Greek counterpart on 9 September immediately after the fire to offer Ireland's full solidarity and support. The Greek authorities have requested assistance from EU Partners in dealing with the immediate humanitarian needs arising. My Department, through our Embassy in Athens, has confirmed Ireland’s readiness to provide assistance from our humanitarian logistics base in Brindisi, Italy. The Greek authorities have thanked us for our offer of assistance and we now stand ready to respond to a request for the deployment of emergency humanitarian supplies.

As Minister for Overseas Development Aid, I have repeatedly urged the need for greater solidarity and burden-sharing among Member States in dealing with the wider issue of migration. I look forward to the Commission's proposed new Migration Pact which is due to be published shortly and which will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing efforts to arrive at an agreed common approach to this difficult issue.

We in Ireland are endeavouring to do our part, having already received 1022 asylum seekers (including six unaccompanied minors) from Greece under the first phase of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. We have also committed to accept 36 unaccompanied minors in need of international protection in Greece, and I was pleased that the first group of eight such minors arrived in Ireland last June. In the context of the very difficult situation now arising from the destruction of the Moria refugee camp, the Government has decided to accept another group, of four unaccompanied minors, as part of this overall commitment and is continuing to keep under review what further actions it can take to meet the enormous humanitarian and relocation needs arising from this tragic event.