Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)

Sudan is a very significant country in the region with a large population of about 50 million. It is in that context that the scale of what is being faced is to be recognised. Different reports suggest that the number of people displaced is between 9 and 12 million, with some 24.6 million facing acute hunger. That is almost half the population. There are significant ramifications for the surrounding countries. I know many refugees have fled Sudan for Egypt, among other countries, and the conflict seems to be escalating. I welcome the commitment to aid. I might ask if the recent cutbacks in USAID have had any impact on projects in Sudan and support for them. I welcome the positions taken by the Government internationally. Has any discussion taken place on an arms embargo with regard to the conflict?

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