Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2026
1. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the assistance the Irish Government will provide to the civilians remaining in Oleshky, Ukraine who are facing severe shortages of food, medicines and other basic necessities. [69137/26]
View answerThe Government is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation facing civilians remaining in Oleshky and surrounding communities in the temporarily occupied Kherson region of Ukraine.
We are particularly concerned by reports of severe shortages of food and medicines, the disruption of essential services and the difficulties faced by civilians seeking medical assistance or attempting to leave the area.
As far back as June, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported that civilians in Oleshky and neighbouring communities were facing severe risks to their lives, food shortages and a lack of medical assistance.
The humanitarian situation in territories temporarily occupied by Russia presents particular challenges. Humanitarian organisations cannot work in areas where the necessary security conditions do not exist and humanitarian access is not provided.
As the occupying power, Russia has a duty to provide food and medical supplies and to facilitate humanitarian relief to the people of Oleshky. I echo the call made by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, just last Friday for an immediate local ceasefire, for unhindered humanitarian access, and for the safe evacuation of civilians.
Ireland calls on Russia, as the occupying power, to comply fully with its obligations under international humanitarian law, including its obligations towards the civilian population under its temporary control.
More broadly, Ireland remains firmly committed to supporting the people of Ukraine. In 2026 Ireland is providing €65 million in humanitarian assistance and development supports in response to the Ukraine crisis and its regional dimensions, of which €26.5 million is flexible humanitarian funding. Our flexible funding is a critical lifeline, enabling humanitarian organisations to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable while navigating complex, and rapidly evolving, security and administrative restrictions.
Russia must immediately facilitate safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to civilians in need, including in Oleshky, and ensure that food, medicines and other essential supplies can reach them.
Ireland will continue to tackle the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. We will also continue to advocate for the protection of civilians, respect for international humanitarian law and safe, unimpeded humanitarian access.
