Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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208. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the help available to the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and the plans to ameliorate the deteriorating humanitarian situation on the ground (details supplied). [52689/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Government remains deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Since January 2025, the renewed offensive by M23 militia in eastern DRC has seen thousands killed, hundreds of thousands displaced, and a significant worsening of the already dire humanitarian situation.

Ireland has been providing humanitarian and development support to the people of the country for many years through civil society and multilateral partners. Humanitarian programmes are responding to the needs arising from the ongoing conflict, particularly in the North and South Kivu Provinces and to those affected by natural disasters. The DRC is one of the top recipients of Irish humanitarian funding. Between 2020 and 2025, Ireland has contributed over €30 million in humanitarian assistance in the country.

In 2025, we have provided €4 million in humanitarian funding through the UN OCHA Humanitarian Fund which channels funding to international and local NGOs who are best placed to reach those most in need. Irish NGOs which we fund directly have allocated over €15 million to development and humanitarian programmes and projects in DRC since 2023, with €5 million provided so far in 2025. Ireland also has a specific commitment to address severe acute malnutrition, or wasting, in children as part of our global partnership with UNICEF and the World Health Organisation. Over €8 million has been provided for this programme in DRC since 2023 and a further allocation will be made in the coming months.

In addition, Ireland provides annual core funding to a number of UN and Red Cross agencies including the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). This allows these agencies to respond rapidly and at scale to escalating needs on the ground. In 2025, UN CERF has contributed €15 million to support the humanitarian response in DRC including needs related to Ebola, Cholera and internal displacement. Overall, Ireland is the fifth largest donor to the CERF.

We continue to engage with EU and international partners in support of Africa-led peace initiatives and to respond effectively to the crisis. The EU adopted additional sanctions in respect of the situation in DRC on 17 March. In April, I participated in an EU Ministerial Roundtable convened by the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, where we discussed the situation in the DRC and explored how to further support the humanitarian response in terms of both funding and humanitarian advocacy. The EU’s Special Representative has also visited the region a number of times.

We welcome the progress made in the discussions on the situation in DRC facilitated by the United States and Qatar that build on the ongoing efforts of the African Union. We call on all parties to respect ceasefire agreements and engage in the processes to attain sustainable peace, justice and security.