Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action taken or proposed through the EU or UN to address the issues of war, strife, starvation and human rights abuses in the 20 most urgently pressing locations worldwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18851/05]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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There is no internationally recognised system for ranking the severity of humanitarian crisis situations around the world, neither is it the policy of the Government to draw up a league table of countries deemed guilty of the worst human rights abuses. However, it is clear that there is a strong inter-relationship between conflict, the abuse of human rights, food insecurity and poverty. Conflict is exacerbated by poverty, inequality and exclusion. Most wars occur in poor countries and conflicts impact on the poorest and most vulnerable people, particularly women and children. Furthermore, food security is undermined by the effects of conflict.

Nineteen of the 20 countries ranked lowest on the UNDP's human development index for 2004, which takes into account life expectancy, education levels and per capita GDP, are in Africa. The only non-African country among these 20, at 158 out of a total of 177 countries, is East Timor. Ireland's programme of development assistance is primarily focussed on the African continent. This programme addresses issues related to poverty, including conflict and food security. This assistance is delivered through a number of channels, directly, through our embassies in a number of African countries and, indirectly, using UN agencies, NGOs and other international organisations. East Timor is also one of Ireland's priority programme countries for development assistance.

As well as directly assisting many of the poorest countries in Africa, Ireland is a strong advocate for the developing world and for international peace and security through our membership of the EU and the UN. During the Irish Presidency of the EU, we were heavily involved in major conferences, including to consider post-conflict reconstruction in Liberia and Iraq and to highlight the appalling situation in Darfur, Sudan. Ireland has recently opened a development office in Freetown, Sierra Leone, which will oversee funding programmes in Sierra Leone and Liberia, two countries which are emerging from conflict. A major component of funding in these countries has been in support of UN programmes to assist in the recovery process.

In addition to our support to emergency and recovery operations, Ireland will contribute €47 million in 2005 to the long-term work of UN agencies which seek to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development. Ireland's key partner agencies include the UN development programme, UNICEF — UN children's fund — the High Commissioner for Refugees, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN population fund, each of which contributes, within its own specific mandate, to the ongoing efforts of developing countries.

If we are to break the cyclical nature of food insecurity and conflict in Africa and elsewhere, the underlying structural problems affecting poverty and stability must be addressed. Ireland has strong development partnerships with six countries in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as with East Timor. Through these partnerships, Ireland fully engages with the governments, donors, EU and UN agencies on the basis of poverty reduction strategy plans. The PRSPs outline how each country prioritises resources and policies with the objective of reducing poverty. These programmes contain a strong governance element throughout to assist in the building of democratic structures, the rule of law and a culture of respect for human rights.

The EU is strongly committed to implementing the UN millennium declaration and the millennium development goals. In this regard, the General Affairs and External Relations Council on May 24 decided on a package of MDG-related measures. These include significant increases in member states' development assistance between now and 2015, measures on policy coherence for development and a special focus on Africa. These actions will help ensure that the EU is in a position to offer leadership at next September's UN summit on the MDGs and thus enhance the possibility which this unique event provides for the world community to agree on a collective response to the multiple needs, threats and challenges which we all face, ranging from extreme poverty, endemic disease and climate change to terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, genocide and civil war.