Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am deeply concerned by the recent severe flooding in Pakistan that has devastated many parts of the country, destroying homes, livestock, harvest-ready crops and sources of livelihood. 33 million people have been affected by these unprecedented climate-induced floods and 1,600 lives have been lost. Over 2 million homes have been destroyed or damaged, forcing people to live out in the open exposed to threats of dengue, malaria, and the fast-approaching winter.

The United Nations’ Pakistan Floods Response Plan was increased last week reflecting the rising needs in the country and the unprecedented scale of destruction caused by the flooding. This revised appeal is urgently seeking US$816 million to respond to the growing needs of the Pakistani people.

Ireland is playing its part in this international response. My Department has provided €765,000 in humanitarian assistance to support the relief efforts by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Rescue Committee and Concern Worldwide. These organisations are longstanding partners of Irish Aid and are already working in the affected regions. We have provided funding to Education Cannot Waitwhich provides education in emergency contexts and has approved a dedicated Pakistan response.

Ireland is also working with our EU and UN partners to provide humanitarian assistance to help mitigate the effects of the flooding on the most vulnerable in the country. The EU is providing €32 million in funding to address the most urgent needs such as basic shelter, clean drinking water and sanitation, food and nutrition, and medical services. EU Member states, including Ireland, are collectively providing €93 million, bringing the overall Team Europesupport to over €120 million. In addition, the EU's Copernicus satellite service has been activated to collect data to support the response and is providing a mapping service to the Pakistani authorities. Ireland also contributes significant amounts of funding to both the UN Central Emergency Response Fund and the IFRC Emergency Response Fund. Both of these funds have been utilised to respond to this crisis. The Central Emergency Response Fund has provided funding of over US$10 million to help meet needs on the ground.

On behalf of the Government, I have written to my counterpart in Pakistan to express Ireland's condolences on the loss of life and our solidarity, outlining the steps Ireland has taken to support Pakistan's recovery from this tragedy. Ireland will continue to engage closely with Pakistan at this very difficult time and will monitor developments through our Embassy in Ankara and the Honorary Consul in Karachi.