Ireland

The ‘Messina model’ can be understood as the practical modus operandi that was developed, applied and tested in Messina, Sicily during the Seawatch 3 disembarkation / voluntary relocation in March 2019.

This model has subsequently been applied in several other disembarkations / voluntary relocations in / from Malta and Italy and has proved to be a robust but flexible mechanism. Three of these operations are still on-going (Ocean Viking in Malta and Open Arms and Eleanor in Italy).

In the last few weeks, some progress has been made on the temporary arrangements for disembarkation and relocation in the Mediterranean, first at a special meeting in Valletta and at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Tuesday. ECRE offers a cautious welcome to these developments: welcome because there are more positive than negative elements but cautious because undesirable points still find their way in. The agreement now needs to be finalised and expanded.

The Coalition and the Agreement

EU talks in Malta and a more lenient policy of the new Italian government stirs hope for an end to Stand-offs for civilian rescue ships. Amid further rescues by national authorities, no EU-led Search and Rescue (SAR) operation is in sight. With the extension of the mandate for Operation Sophia training of the so-called Libyan coastguard continues.

Overview

In the first six months of 2019, just over 20,200 refugees were submitted by UNHCR for resettlement to 18 countries in Europe. This is almost two-thirds of the total submission in 2018, and already more than double the average rate of 17,800 submissions per year during the previous 10 years. Three countries that received smaller numbers of resettlement submissions in 2018 have not yet received submissions during 2019.

KAMPALA – Irish Aid today committed critical funding to enable the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to assist nearly 150,000 school children in Karamoja and over 1 million refugees in 13 refugee settlements across the country.

The Ambassador of Ireland, H.E William Carlos, committed €1.6 million for the WFP school feeding programme in Karamoja sub-region and another €2 million for the refugees in a Memorandum of Understanding signed today with WFP’s Country Director, El-Khidir Daloum in Kampala.

Objective

To improve the food security and nutrition of crisis-affected communities in the prefectures of Ombella-Mpoko and Lobaye.

Key Partners

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs).

Beneficiaries Reached

3 200 households.

Activities Implemented

Addis Ababa July 5/2019 The government of Ireland has extended over 5.1 billion birr to support multifaceted development programs in Ethiopia since 2014 and pledged to continue its support in areas of social protection and humanitarian.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkaris visited Ethiopia on January, 2019 where he had fruitful discussions on various issues of common concern with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Sahlework Zewde.

TRENDS AND KEY FIGURES

In May, 6,300 refugees and migrants arrived to Europe, primarily via Greece, Spain and Italy. Overall arrivals to Greece increased marginally compared with the previous month (3,198 versus 3,020), while arrivals to Spain (1,928 versus 1,539) increased by 20% and those to Italy rose (255 versus 782). So far this year just over 27,800 refugees and migrants arrived to Europe via the three Mediterranean routes compared to 43,569 that arrived in the same period last year, marking a 36% decrease.

This index ranks bilateral Development Assistance Committee (DAC) donors by how they use their official development assistance (ODA) to pursue their long-term national interest in a safer, sustainable and more prosperous world.

A principled approach targets aid to countries that need it most, supports global cooperation and adopts a public spirited focus on development impact rather than a short-sighted domestic return.

Arrivals to Europe between January and December 2018

Between January and December 2018, some 30,085 children arrived in Greece, Italy, Spain and Bulgaria, of whom 12,717 (42%) were unaccompanied or separated children (UASC). Arrival of children overall in 2018 dropped by 7% compared to 2017 (32,963).

Greece

In April, almost 4,700 refugees and migrants entered Europe, primarily via Greece, Spain and Italy. Overall arrivals to Greece decreased compared with the previous month (2,887 versus 3,159), while arrivals to Spain (1,540 versus 1,000) increased by 55% and those to Italy remained consistent (273 versus 262). So far this year almost 20,600 refugees and migrants arrived to Europe via the three Mediterranean routes compared to over 30,900 that arrived in the same period last year, marking a 33% decrease.

NADI, FIJI (1 May 2019) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Ireland today signed agreements establishing the Ireland Trust Fund for Building Climate Change and Disaster Resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Contribution Arrangements were signed by ADB Vice-President Mr. Ahmed M. Saeed and Ireland’s Minister for International Development Mr. Ciarán Cannon on the opening day of the 52nd Annual Meeting of ADB’s Board of Governors in Nadi, Fiji.

During the first quarter of 2019, the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund received contributions from Sweden (US$5.4 million), Ireland ($4.5 million), Denmark ($3.8 million) and Australia ($2.8 million), adding to the $51.6 million carried forward from 2018 and accrued interest.

TRENDS AND KEY FIGURES

In March, just over 4,500 refugees and migrants entered Europe, primarily via Italy, Greece and Spain. Overall arrivals to Spain decreased by just over 26% compared with the previous month (1,006 versus 1,366) while arrivals through routes to Greece (3,159 versus 2,316) and Italy (262 versus 60) increase compared with the previous month. So far this year some 15,900 refugees and migrants arrived to Europe via the three Mediterranean routes compared to over 19,200 that arrived in the same period last year, marking a 17% decrease.

Objective: To introduce LPG cooking sets through its provision to refugees and heavily impacted host community populations to enable them to restore their food security.

Key partners: The Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner and the Ministry of Forestry and Environment – Cox’s Bazar South Forest Division

Beneficiaries reached: 2 500 refugee households (12 500 people) and 500 host community households (2 500 people).

Activities implemented:

Africa

Burkina Faso

02 February 2019: In Kongoussi region, militants presumed to be from Ansaroul Islam (JNIM) attacked and stole a Burkina Faso Red Cross vehicle, abducting its four passengers and driver in the process. Source: ACLED

13 February 2019: In Ougarou area, Est region, an ambulance transporting a pregnant woman from Diapaga to Fada-N’gourma was shot at by presumed JNIM or ISGS militants, leaving the pregnant woman’s partner with a gunshot wound but the driver and woman unharmed. Source: ACLED

Africa

Burkina Faso

02 February 2019: In Kongoussi region, militants presumed to be from Ansaroul Islam (JNIM) attacked and stole a Burkina Faso Red Cross vehicle, abducting its four passengers and driver in the process. Source: ACLED1