Ireland announces €3 million funding to South Sudan

Tánaiste Coveney and Minister Cannon announce €3 million funding to the South Sudan humanitarian crisis

- €3 million funding to UN South Sudan Humanitarian Fund

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D, and Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Mr. Ciarán Cannon, T.D., today announced Irish funding of €3 million for severe humanitarian crisis in South Sudan.  

South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, is today among the most fragile states in the world. The conflict, which started in 2013, has resulted in large-scale displacement, food insecurity and malnutrition. Over half the population, 7 million people, are in need of humanitarian assistance and the UN estimates that almost two-thirds of the population are at risk of rising hunger. The South Sudan crisis is the largest refugee crisis in Africa. Almost 4 million people have been forced to leave their homes, with 2 million people displaced internally and 2 million refugees in neighbouring countries

Announcing the funding, the Tánaiste said:

“The ongoing conflict in the world’s youngest country is causing severe and widespread humanitarian suffering. Ireland will continue to support the international humanitarian response to the crisis, as well as supporting efforts to halt the on-going conflict driving it. We urgently need to turn the tide of human suffering in South Sudan through reaching political resolution to the conflict. ”

Minister of State Cannon added:

“As well as providing support to our UN humanitarian partners, Irish Aid has also consistently supported the humanitarian work of many of our NGO partners through our Humanitarian Programme Plan, including Trócaire, World Vision Ireland, Concern and Oxfam. We are proud of the work our NGO partners do to alleviate the suffering of the people of South Sudan.”

In 2017, Ireland provided funding of almost €12 million to support efforts to alleviate humanitarian suffering in South Sudan. As well as providing support to our UN humanitarian partners (UN South Sudan Humanitarian Fund, UNICEF, WFP and UNHCR), funding was also provided to support the work of Trócaire, World Vision, Concern, GOAL, Oxfam, Christian Aid, Plan International and the International Rescue Committee.

Now in 2018, Ireland is again supporting the UN-managed Humanitarian Pooled Fund, which ensures that the most urgent needs can be met quickly, be they for food, shelter, health or protection for the most vulnerable.

ENDS

Press Office

3 May 2018

Notes to the editor:

• Irish Aid is the Government’s overseas assistance programme. It is managed by the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. For further information visit www.irishaid.ie
• Ireland’s Humanitarian Assistance Policy outlines how Irish Aid saves and protects lives, alleviates suffering and maintains human dignity before, during and in the aftermath of humanitarian crises.
• Since 2012 to date, including the payment of €3 million to theUN South Sudan Humanitarian Fund in 2018, Ireland has provided over €54 million in humanitarian assistance to the South Sudan crisis, including over €46 million since the outbreak of conflict in December 2013.  This does not include Ireland’s core funding to UN agencies and organisations, and our core funding to the Red Cross, which all have humanitarian programmes in South Sudan and to meet the needs of the country’s refugees, or Ireland’s funding to the UN CERF & NGO pooled funds which are allocating significant resources to humanitarian partners in South Sudan and for South Sudanese refugees, and Ireland’s contribution to the EU, which also supports humanitarian partners’ operations in South Sudan and for its refugees. 
• The UN’s 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for South Sudan requires USD$1.7bn to reach 6 million people with life-saving assistance. The HRP for 2017 was 71.9% funded by year end.
• The UN Humanitarian Pooled Funds allocate funding in-country to a broad range of partners, including UN organisations, and national and international NGOs. The Pooled Funds form part of the Humanitarian Response Plan for each country and the funding is allocated to meet critical humanitarian needs ranging from food assistance to protection to livelihoods support.　

Ireland provides €3m funding to Somalia humanitarian crisis

Anisa Hussein/ICRC

Ireland provides €3m funding to Somalia humanitarian crisis

- Somalia “is one of the most challenging environments for humanitarian aid operations”

- €3 million funding provided to UN Somalia Humanitarian Fund

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D, and Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Mr. Ciarán Cannon, T.D., today announced Irish funding of €3 million for the severe humanitarian crisis in Somalia.  

It is estimated that 5.4 million people in Somalia, almost half of the population, are in need of humanitarian assistance. More than 2 million Somalis are internally displaced, 1 million of whom are in protracted displacement, with many displaced for two decades. Over the past month, flooding has compounded an already fragile humanitarian situation with over 220,000 people displaced and 720,000 affected.  

In 2017, Ireland provided funding of €6.7 million to support the efforts to alleviate humanitarian suffering in Somalia. This assistance was delivered by Ireland’s humanitarian partners including the UN Somalia Humanitarian Fund and NGOs.

Announcing the funding, the Tánaiste said:

“Somalia has been gripped by chronic drought and racked by conflict for over twenty years. It is one of the most challenging environments for humanitarian aid operations, but it is imperative that Ireland and the international community continues to support the humanitarian response to the crises besetting the country. This funding is further demonstration of Ireland's commitment to alleviate the suffering of the Somali people.”

“We will also continue to work with our EU and UN partners to support the Federal Government of Somalia’s efforts to stabilise the country, as it emerges from decades of conflict, and bring an end to the insecurity that is contributing significantly to the on-going humanitarian crisis.”

Minister of State Cannon added:

“As well as providing support to our UN humanitarian partners, Irish Aid has also consistently supported the humanitarian work of many of our NGO partners through our Humanitarian Programme Plan, including Trócaire, World Vision Ireland, Concern, Oxfam, International Rescue Committee and Halo Trust. We are proud of the work our NGO partners do to alleviate the suffering of the people of Somalia. Ireland will continue to work internationally to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and the safe delivery of assistance by all humanitarian actors to those most in need.”

Now in 2018, Ireland is again supporting the UN-managed Humanitarian Pooled Fund, which ensures that the most urgent needs can be met quickly, be they for food, shelter, health or protection for the most vulnerable.

ENDS

Press Office

11 May 2018

Notes to the editor:

• Irish Aid is the Government’s overseas assistance programme. It is managed by the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. For further information visit www.irishaid.ie
• Ireland’s Humanitarian Assistance Policy outlines how Irish Aid saves and protects lives, alleviates suffering and maintains human dignity before, during and in the aftermath of humanitarian crises.
• Since 2012 to date, including this funding of €3 million to theUN Somalia Humanitarian Fund in 2018, Ireland has provided over €37 million in humanitarian assistance to the Somalia crisis. This does not include Ireland’s core funding to UN agencies and organisations, and our core funding to the Red Cross, or Ireland’s funding to the UN CERF & NGO pooled funds which are allocating significant resources to humanitarian partners in Somalia, and Ireland’s contribution to the EU, which also supports humanitarian partners’ operations in Somalia.

• Gripped by drought and racked by conflict for over twenty years, Somalia is one of the most challenging environments for humanitarian aid operations. Al Shabaab’s insurgency, coupled with inter-clan fighting, severe drought and recent flooding has created large-scale displacement, widespread food insecurity and rising acute malnutrition rates. The government's control is essentially limited to Mogadishu and surrounding areas, although Al Shabaab attacks in the city persist, most recently the biggest terrorist atrocity taking place in Mogadishu in October 2017 where over 350 people were killed.   
• The UN’s 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Somalia requires USD$1.6 billion to reach 5.4 million people with life-saving assistance. The HRP for 2017 was 77% funded by year end.
• The UN Humanitarian Pooled Funds allocate funding in-country to a broad range of partners, including UN organisations, and national and international NGOs. The Pooled Funds form part of the Humanitarian Response Plan for each country and the funding is allocated to meet critical humanitarian needs ranging from food assistance to protection to livelihoods support.