Tánaiste should urge convening of emergency summit on Somalia - Ó Fearghaíl

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD has called on the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore TD to urge the EU Foreign Policy Representative Catherine Ashton to convene an emergency meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on the famine that has hit southern Somalia.
 
“The UN declaration of a state of famine in two regions of southern Somalia, southern Bakool and Lower Shabelle, is extremely serious and must be met with a swift and appropriate response from the European Union.  The severe drought in the Horn of Africa is affecting more than 10 million people, more than two times the entire population of Ireland.
 
“Children are dying from starvation and the world must take action.  There is an opportunity for Europe to lead the global community in responding to this crisis.  I have written to the Tánaiste this evening urging him to contact Catherine Ashton, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and seek an emergency summit of Europe’s foreign ministers to agree widespread funding and assistance for the Horn of Africa.”
 
“I welcome the fact the Government has increased its contribution to dealing with this crisis and more than €5.5m is being provided through the UNHCR and aid agencies.  However I feel there is a key role for a co-ordinated response from Europe and time is clearly a critical matter given the scale of the disaster,” concluded Deputy Ó Fearghaíl.