Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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92. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on his Department’s engagement with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13671/21]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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With a record 235 million people currently needing humanitarian assistance and protection, or one in 33 people worldwide, humanitarian agencies are seeking new ways to collaborate and increase efficiency and impact.

Responding to this imperative, the Irish Emergency Alliance (IEA) was launched in September 2020. It comprises seven non-governmental organisations that work in fragile states and humanitarian crises: Action Aid, Christian Aid, Plan International Ireland, Self Help Africa, Tear Fund Ireland, Trócaire and World Vision Ireland. These organisations came together in the IEA to coordinate joint public fundraising appeals in Ireland to humanitarian crises.

Since its launch, the IEA has established an appeal for conflict-affected countries suffering from the secondary impacts of COVID-19. The appeal established partnerships with the media, recruited 3,000 individual donors and raised €250,000.

My Department has engaged with the IEA substantially at both official and political levels. Following a meeting with the IEA Board, I released a statement of support for their launch.

In 2020, my Department allocated €38 million to IEA members through the Irish Aid programme. My Department will continue to work with IEA members both bilaterally and collectively in pursuit of our common commitment to save lives, reduce suffering and protect the dignity of people affected by humanitarian crises.