Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 117, 127, 134, 158, 160, 164 to 167, inclusive, 181, 185 and 201 together.

The Government continues to monitor and respond to the humanitarian needs generated by a number of conflicts and protracted crises in Africa, notably those in Sudan, South Sudan, the Horn of Africa, Somalia and the Sahel. Almost one year on from the peak of the Horn of Africa crisis, the overall humanitarian situation across much of this region has now improved thanks in large part to the massive aid operation which donors such as Ireland helped to support. However, the situation remains critical for many millions of people, especially in Somalia, where access for aid agencies remains highly restricted in many areas. Emergency funding allocated by Irish Aid towards the overall relief effort in the Horn of Africa currently stands at almost €17 million, making Ireland, in per capita terms, one of the most significant humanitarian donors to the region.

We are, however, particularly concerned about the increasingly difficult humanitarian situation in Sudan, notably in the border states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile, where 350,000 civilians have been severely affected by the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement-North. In addition to those affected within these two states, some 140,000 refugees have already fled to Ethiopia and South Sudan, while 100,000 more have been displaced as a result of fighting around the disputed border area of Abyei. One of the key issues of concern relates to access for aid agencies to the areas affected by the conflict. Ireland, together with its EU partners, is actively supporting efforts to ensure that both Sudan and South Sudan comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and to ensure humanitarian agencies gain full access to those in need. The Government has raised the issue of access at EU level and in other international fora.

In January last, and with Ireland's encouragement, the EU urged the Government of Sudan to allow safe and unhindered access for international humanitarian workers to all civilians and reiterated its readiness to provide humanitarian assistance. The EU also emphasised that the ongoing conflicts in southern Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur remain obstacles to moving forward with the full range of support it would like to provide to Sudan. Last month, the European Union called on the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North, SPLM-North, to engage in an inclusive political process to resolve the conflict.

Through Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Government already has allocated €2 million this year for the UN-managed common humanitarian funds for both the Republic of Sudan and South Sudan and is currently considering a further additional contribution. These funds are being used to help UN agencies and NGOs target the most critical humanitarian needs across both countries, including in areas beset by conflict and affected by displacement from Blue Nile and South Kordofan. A further €1.22 million has been made available to Irish NGOs, namely, Trócaire, GOAL and World Vision, for programmes in Sudan and South Sudan under the annual humanitarian programme planning funding scheme. Our assistance is saving lives daily.

I assure the many Members who have taken an interest in this matter that the Government will continue to monitor closely the situation in South Kordofan, the Blue Nile and other areas facing critical need across the Horn of Africa and Sahel regions. In conjunction with its EU partners, the Government will continue to press for unrestricted humanitarian access to affected civilians.

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