The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D, has provided €20,000,000 in humanitarian assistance to the UN World Food Programme (WFP).

Minister Creed stated, “The UN World Food Programme feeds 80 million of the most malnourished people in 80 countries. It also plays a significant role in the UN’s global campaign for zero hunger, and is at the forefront of dealing with the migration crisis.   This contribution will help save lives and support food security and nutrition and (re)build livelihoods in fragile settings.   This support is particularly necessary in the context of the current refugee crisis, where large parts of our funding will be targeted.”

Thanking Ireland for its contribution, Executive Director Ertharin Cousin said:“This contribution enables life-saving assistance for people living on the frontlines of hunger, conflict and climate-change, and it reaffirms Ireland’s role as one of WFP’s most engaged partners.  Ireland’s multi-annual commitment facilitates efficient and effective assistance for hungry and malnourished people, particularly in war-devastated regions, bringing us one step closer to our shared goal of Zero Hunger.”

Minister Creed also announced the provision of €100,000 in emergency funding for Ethiopian farmers, through the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

“These monies will fund urgent FAO work in distributing seeds to families in Ethiopia who have been experiencing one of the most severe droughts in 50 years, due to the effects of climate change.” the Minister said. 

“Our contribution to this project will not only help affected households in Ethiopia to resume food production, but is part of the wider role my Department plays in initiatives on climate change and sustainable agriculture  at both national and international level” said Minister Creed.

“El Nino has had devastating effects on food security in Ethiopia. It is critical to timely deliver seed support to the most vulnerable ahead of the main planting season – and with support from the Government of Ireland, FAO is enabling 2 800 farming families not only to resume agricultural production, but to safeguard their livelihoods.” stated Mr. Dominique Burgeon, Director, Emergency and Rehabilitation division of the FAO, thanking Ireland for its contribution.

NOTE FOR EDITORS:

In addition to the core contribution of a minimum of €20 million a year to the UN World Food Programme, which is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to provide funding in response to humanitarian emergences.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the lead Department for the Irish Government’s relationship with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). FAO is mandated to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable, enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems and increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises.

To view this Press Release as a PDF: DAFMPR 89/2016 (pdf 374Kb) 

Date Released: 25 July 2016