Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

96. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will detail the level of support Ireland is providing for countries experiencing food shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12642/23]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The world is facing a global food affecting hundreds of millions of vulnerable people. It has been driven by climate change, conflict, and the continuing impact of COVID-19, and has been exacerbated by Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Ireland has been a long-standing champion of efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition. Our policy approach is firmly rooted in the knowledge of the long-term impact which famine can have on the fabric of a nation. The fight against hunger and malnutrition is at the heart of our development work, and is critical to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

In 2021, Ireland provided over €200 million for initiatives to address the hunger crisis. We have committed in our international development policy, a Better World, to target those furthest behind, with a priority on preventing hunger and developing sustainable food systems. At the December 2021 Nutrition for Growth Summit, Ireland pledged to provide a total of €800 million over five years on nutrition and food security. At the UN last September, Ireland pledged an additional €50 million over three years to address the scandal of acute malnutrition among children.

In November 2022, the Government provided an additional €30 million to the Department of Foreign Affairs for Irish Aid's humanitarian response to the crisis in the Horn of Africa, one of the regions hardest hit by food insecurity. Throughout Ireland's two-year term on the UN Security Council, we consistently highlighted the underlying causes of food insecurity and the links between conflict and hunger.

Ireland's strong engagement with the World Food Programme is central to our work to address food shortages. We agreed in December 2021 that Ireland will provide at least €75 million to the World Food Programme over the three years to 2024. Ireland is also actively engaged as a member of the Executive Board of the World Food Programme and of the Board of the International Fund for Agricultural Development.