Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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382. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to target areas of starvation or famine throughout the world; the efforts being made to provide such basic facilities as water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4760/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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390. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community has made commitments and kept them in respect of various disaster areas throughout the globe; the action(s) in place to ensure an active and positive response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4769/23]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 390 together.

The World Food Programme reports that 349 million people across 79 countries are now facing acute food insecurity.  This is a significant increase since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The war in Ukraine has exacerbated the situation further.  It is likely that the availability of food will become a significant issue in many countries in the coming year.

In 2022 the international community provided over €28 billion in response to humanitarian crises across the globe. Ireland provided more humanitarian assistance than in any previous year, in response to escalating needs.

Our assistance targets countries affected by high levels of food insecurity and famine. Up to date data on food insecurity from the World Food Programme enables the international community to prioritise hunger hotspots. For example, in 2022 €2.2 billion was allocated internationally to Yemen, €1.6 billion to Ethiopia, €1.1 billion to Somalia, €0.9 million to South Sudan and €0.6 billion to Nigeria.

In response to the humanitarian crisis caused by drought and conflict in the Horn of Africa, the Government provided over €100 million in direct assistance last year. We have also taken a lead internationally in drawing attention to the impact of the crisis and the need for further assistance.

Access to clean water, sanitation, and other basic services is a core issue in response to humanitarian crises.  Ireland’s humanitarian funding in 2023 will directly and indirectly fund these services in a number of regions in crisis.

Ireland pre-positions funding to trusted Irish NGOs, UN and International Red Cross partners who can respond quickly and at scale. The UN Central Emergency response Fund (CERF) reacts immediately to crises as they happen. Ireland is the 8th largest contributor to the CERF, providing €11.5 million in 2022.

We also support partners on the ground to prevent crises from worsening and to lay the groundwork for recovery and development.