Written answers
Monday, 9 September 2024
Department of Health
Middle East
Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1696.To ask the Minister for Health what support his Department has provided to medical organisations, including financial support or equipment, operating in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34345/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to advise you that the Irish Government's response to the crisis in Gaza has included significant humanitarian funding and the provision of in-kind assistance. A significant proportion of this funding supports the delivery of essential services, including healthcare provided in Gaza and neighbouring countries.
Ireland has provided €40 million in humanitarian assistance since last October. This includes €20 million provided in February for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the main agency unpinning all humanitarian efforts (including healthcare delivery) in Gaza. Irish support to UNRWA, WHO, Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (including the International Committee of the Red Cross, International Federation of the Red Cross and National Societies in the region) and through the EU ensures that healthcare continues to be delivered in Gaza even in the most difficult of circumstances.
There are well established formal procedures at EU and National level to deal with requests for humanitarian assistance. These procedures have been successfully utilised on several occasions in relation to Ukraine. With regard to the Middle East crisis, Ireland has utilised EU procedures in relation to a donation of 2,304 blood bags from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service – these were transferred from Dublin to Cairo. The value of this in-kind assistance of these items was €18,788.89. The cost of air transport for Ireland was €903.88, representing 25% of the total cost with the European Commission paying the remaining 75% of air transport costs.
I can confirm that the Ireland is actively considering how it can further support residents of Gaza given the appalling humanitarian situation in that region and the scale of civilian casualties.
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