Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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218. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will set out the aid being delivered to the people of Afghanistan who are facing starvation at present; if Ireland has taken a specific initiative in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4083/22]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I am extremely concerned by the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, which now has the highest number of people in emergency food insecurity in the world.

Ireland through its Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme, Irish Aid, provided over €5.3 million in humanitarian support for the people of Afghanistan in 2021 - a fivefold increase compared to spending in 2020. This funding was allocated to the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF), UNICEF, Concern Worldwide and HALO Trust. Our partners in Afghanistan are implementing emergency response programmes to address the urgent needs of the population, including providing food aid, treatment for severe acute malnutrition in children, and other essential services. A donor-pledging conference on Afghanistan is likely to take place in March and Ireland will participate.

Ireland is also contributing to the EU response, which allocated more than €1 billion in funding last year to UN agencies and NGOs working in Afghanistan for humanitarian aid and to support basic needs. The EU also established a humanitarian air bridge that delivered 280 tonnes of lifesaving supplies.

In addition, Ireland contributes to global funds and core funding to key agencies that allocate funding to Afghanistan, including WHO, UNHCR, IFRC, ICRC and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Ireland was the 9th largest donor to the CERF in 2021, providing €11 million. Since August, the CERF has allocated more than €68.6 million to Afghanistan. This year we will renew our multiyear partnership with CERF and increase our annual contribution from €10m to €11.5m, as I announced at the CERF pledging conference in December.

Ireland supports all initiatives to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people. At the UN Security Council, we actively engaged in negotiations to ensure a clear and robust humanitarian carve out to the sanctions regime against the Taliban to ensure the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to the population. The resolution was adopted in December.