David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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45. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the reason for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38190/20]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The conflict which began in 2015 is the principal cause of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, impacting on its capacity to address other serious problems such as flooding, cholera and COVID 19. Along with the UN and the EU, Ireland believes that the only way to bring about a long-term sustainable improvement in Yemen is through a negotiated end to the conflict. The UN’s repeated recent warnings of the risk of famine in Yemen underlines the seriousness of the situation there and the urgency that is needed to address it.

Ireland fully supports the efforts of the UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths. We urge all parties to the conflict to engage with him without pre-conditions, to enact confidence-building measures to secure a sustainable peace, and to allow the people of Yemen to begin to rebuild their lives. Ireland also continues to call for full, secure and unimpeded access for humanitarian and health workers and supplies to all parts of Yemen, in line with Security Council Resolution 2532.

This year Ireland has provided €5 million in funding to the UN Yemen Humanitarian Fund, which mobilises and channels funding to NGOs and UN agencies that are best placed to deliver lifesaving assistance to the most vulnerable. In total, Ireland has contributed over €27 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen since 2015.

Ireland also provides significant humanitarian funding at the global level, including to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). In 2020, the CERF has provided $35 million in funding to Yemen. As an EU Member State, Ireland also contributes to the EU response to the crisis in Yemen. Since 2015, the EU has allocated €554 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen.

Yemen faces alarming levels of food insecurity and has received less than half of the humanitarian funds requested at the start of this year. My Department will be providing additional assistance in the coming weeks.