Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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268. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community is currently engaged in addressing issues of starvation and neglect of children throughout the globe in areas of conflict and others with a view to putting in place measures to address the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34198/21]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The number of people facing acute food insecurity and needing life-saving assistance hit a five-year high in 2020. Conflict, economic shocks related to COVID-19 alongside the impacts of climate change led to 155 million people experiencing acute food insecurity - an increase of 20 million people from the previous year.

Across 55 countries, over 75 million children under five were stunted (too short for their ages) and over 15 million wasted (too thin for their ages). Africa remains disproportionally affected by acute food insecurity, and in a number of countries the situation is deteriorating. Conflict remains a major driver of hunger, and insecurity is a barrier to providing timely and effective assistance.

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, established a Task Force on Preventing Famine in March 2021. The Task Force aims to bring high-level attention to famine prevention and mobilize support to the most affected countries.

At the UN Security Council, Ireland plays a leading role on hunger and conflict. Working with Niger, we are leading on the implementation of Resolution 2417, which recognizes the imperative of addressing conflict driven hunger and deals with issues such as starvation as a weapon of war and the denial or impeding of humanitarian access. 

In 2021, the UN Secretary-General will convene a Food Systems Summit as part of the Decade of Action to achieve the SDGs by 2030. The Summit will launch ambitious initiatives to deliver progress on the SDGs, by building healthier, more sustainable, and equitable food systems.

Ireland has been a leader in the fight against hunger. We expect to demonstrate leadership at the Food Systems Summit in September, by championing a food systems approach and shining a light on severe malnutrition. 

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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269. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the needs of children can be met through the aegis of the EU or UN or both with particular reference to food shortages and dangers arising from conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34199/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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288. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which it is intended to expand the relevant programmes to address serious and emerging issues of health and personal security with particular reference to women and children in conflict zones or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34218/21]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 288 together.

The UN estimates that, in 2021, 235 million people need humanitarian assistance and protection, equivalent to one in 33 people worldwide. Over 155 million people experienced acute food insecurity at crisis levels, or worse, an increase of around 20 million people from the previous year,

Women and children are particularly affected by hunger and food insecurity. Nearly half of all deaths in children under age five are attributable to undernutrition. In 2019, 21 per cent of all children under age five (144 million) were stunted and 49.5 million children experienced wasting. Women and girls represent more than 70 per cent of people facing chronic hunger. They are more likely to reduce their meal intake in times of food scarcity and may be pushed to engage in negative coping mechanisms, such as transactional sex and child, early and forced marriage. 

Conflict is the main cause of acute hunger; 70 per cent of the top 20 countries at risk of food insecurity are in fragile and conflict-affected situations. Economic shocks, many caused by COVID-19, and extreme weather events, associated with climate change have also contributed significantly to increasing levels of hunger, and the particular vulnerability of women and children.

The UN and partner organizations aim to assist 160 million people most in need across 56 countries in 2021 and require a total of $35 billion to do so.

Through the Irish Aid programme, Ireland works with partners, including the EU, the UN, the Red Cross and NGOs to save lives and protect the dignity of people affected by crises. In 2019, Ireland provided humanitarian assistance in the amount of €185 million. Our assistance focuses on reaching the furthest behind. It includes a three-year strategic partnership with the International Rescue Committee to address Gender-based violence (GBV) in emergencies, and to support the empowerment of women and girls in humanitarian crises, with a budget of €4.5 million.