Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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234. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 342 of 5 May 2021, the resources that are being deployed to NGOs and multilateral organisations to assist the people of Ethiopia to overcome the current humanitarian crisis (details supplied). [2736/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The situation in Tigray and in other parts of northern Ethiopia remains of grave concern. The conflict is having a devastating impact on civilians with reported widespread human rights violations, while the number of casualties continues to rise. Over 9 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, including 5.2 million people in Tigray alone.

Through our bilateral engagements, as well as within the European Union and at the UN Security Council, Ireland continues to advocate for full humanitarian access, an urgent end to violence, dialogue, accountability for atrocities, and ultimately a political solution to the conflict. We see the recent withdrawal of TPLF forces to Tigray from neighbouring regions as an opportunity for de-escalation and political dialogue which must be seized.

We also welcome the recent decision of the Ethiopian authorities to release a number of opposition leaders. However, continued reports of air strikes in Tigray resulting in dozens of civilian casualties are deeply troubling and underscore the urgent need for ensuring full humanitarian access to the region.

Ireland has been to the fore in raising the humanitarian and human rights situation at the UN Security Council, most recently on 20 December when members were briefed on the severity of the humanitarian crisis. We have also led negotiations resulting in two Security Council press statements on the crisis, the latest – on 5 November – called for humanitarian access, a ceasefire and political dialogue to resolve the crisis.

Ireland also believes that regional leaders have a vital role to play in promoting peace. We have been vocal in our support for the ongoing mediation work of African Union Special Envoy Obasanjo, President Kenyatta and others. It is critical that we continue to push for urgency in these efforts.

Ireland’s continued priority will remain, as always, supporting the needs of the most vulnerable people in Ethiopia, including those affected by conflict in Tigray. My Department, through the Irish Aid programme, recently disbursed an additional €17 million to humanitarian partners operating in Ethiopia including UN OCHA, UNICEF, UNFPA, International Rescue Committee, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, bringing our total response to the extensive humanitarian needs in 2021 to almost €25 million. We will continue to prioritise responding to humanitarian needs while this crisis persists.