A Waterford TD has raised the plight of children in Yemen in the Oireachtas.

The country, one of the Arab world’s poorest, has been devastated by a civil war.

Fianna Fail’s Mary Butler told the Dáil that up to 85,000 children may have already died of starvation.

“We’re all very upset and distressed by the horrific images from Yemen and the fact that so many children are starving.”

She put a question to the Taoiseach: “Under the budget for overseas aid is there any capacity to offer some humanitarian assistance?”

Leo Varadkar says he shares the deputy’s concerns and horror about what’s happening to civilians in Yemen.

“The short answer to your question is yes, the government has made a decision to provide funding through the UN and other agencies for humanitarian assistance in Yemen. We’re going to increase that next year.”

“We’ve joined with our EU and UN colleagues in calling for a ceasefire in Yemen so that peace talks can begin.”

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