Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the humanitarian situation in Darfur, Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13861/05]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The humanitarian situation in Sudan, including Darfur, is of the utmost concern to the Government. The conflict in Darfur has displaced about 1.8 million people during the last two years. Estimates vary but well over 100,000 have died from the conflict, directly or indirectly.

I visited Darfur earlier this month. I saw at first hand the intense suffering of many of these vulnerable people. They have been displaced into often overcrowded camps where facilities and services are only now becoming any way acceptable. I visited Mornei displaced persons camp in west Darfur and the Jabal Mara region of north Darfur. I witnessed the important work of the aid agencies and pledged that Ireland would continue to assist in meeting immediate emergency needs and also longer term development activities when possible.

In a matter of weeks, the weather will change in Darfur and the rainy season will commence. This poses new difficulties for the vulnerable population of Darfur and for those humanitarian workers who are endeavouring to assist them. The rains have a potentially disastrous effect on the transport of much needed supplies. Darfur is a predominantly desert environment. Once the area becomes flooded, access is minimal. Food deliveries grind to a halt. As a result, it is all the more important that food supplies be put in place near the displaced populations as early as possible. I saw the food stocks in place in camps but was told by the humanitarian workers that it was not enough. It is now vitally important that further progress is made in pre-positioning supplies. Ireland has contributed to the World Food Programme efforts in this regard.

A further threat is that of disease. Worsening camp conditions, due to the intense rains, can be a breeding ground for potential cholera outbreak. Ireland has supported the UN World Health Organisation and non-governmental organisations including Concern, GOAL and Medecins Sans Frontieres for their work in primary health care response in Darfur.

In total in 2004 Ireland provided €6.38 million in assistance to the Darfur region. This funding was delivered rapidly to assist the life saving work of non-governmental organisations, UN agencies and the Red Cross family. The support was utilised to provide food and essential non-food items to help families and individuals survive.

During my visit I met a wide range of UN representatives, including the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General, Mr. Jan Pronk. I also met with Sudanese Government Ministers. I emphasised the importance of a political resolution to the conflict in Darfur. The political conflict is the cause of this enormous human suffering. Only a political solution will allow these people to return to their homes and to cultivate their fields in an atmosphere of genuine safety and security.

After my visit to Darfur I attended the International Donors' Conference on Sudan, which took place in Oslo on 11-12 April. The conference was focused on the needs of the whole of Sudan in the aftermath of the recent signing of a comprehensive peace agreement to end the 20 year old civil war between north and south Sudan. Pledges of some €4.5 billion were made for Sudan up to 2007. While recognising that the peace agreement is a new beginning for Sudan, participants emphasised the need to build on the agreement and to bring peace and stability to all of Sudan, particularly Darfur.

I pledged support of €15 million from Ireland to Sudan over the next two years. This support will be used to address the needs of people across Sudan. We will assist the people of Sudan to move towards recovery and to rebuild their lives. We will work closely with other donors, the UN and NGOs in this enormous task. The 2.5 million people directly affected by the conflict in Darfur will require humanitarian assistance for some time to come, particularly in the absence of a political resolution. I am committed to trying to ensure that the humanitarian and development needs of Sudan, including Darfur, are met by the international community over the coming years.