John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

97. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of the Government’s response to the ongoing crisis in the Horn of Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4410/23]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

141. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the support by way of money, food, medical supplies and other humanitarian relief that Ireland has sent to Somalia and other drought-impacted nations in the Horn of Africa enduring mass starvation; the plans the European Union and other international organisations have to bring relief to the millions of persons affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4003/23]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 141 together.

The Government provided a total of over €100 million in direct assistance to Somalia and other countries in the Horn of Africa in 2022, in response to the devastating humanitarian crisis caused by drought and conflict.  We have also taken a lead internationally in drawing attention to the devastating impact of the crisis and the need for further assistance.

Ireland’s support to countries in the Horn provides lifesaving humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable, while also laying the groundwork for building resilience and development. Ireland also supports vulnerable communities in the region with relief supplies delivered through our Rapid Response Initiative, which has delivered over 534 tonnes of aid to the region since 2017.

In addition, communities in the Horn are being supported through Ireland’s contributions to multilateral humanitarian action, such as the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which reacts immediately to crises as they happen. Ireland is the eighth largest contributor to CERF, providing €11.5 million in 2022. Since 2021, the CERF has allocated over $336 million across the Horn of Africa.

More broadly, Ireland has been a long-standing champion of global efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition. During our 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 also continues to work through the EU to address the worst consequences of food insecurity, in the Horn of Africa and on a global level. The EU has pledged over €600 million in support of the Horn of Africa. Additionally, as part of the overall EU Global Food Security Response, the EU is contributing over €5 billion in humanitarian and development assistance for global food security between 2021 and 2024.