Written answers

Tuesday, 27 November 2007

Department of Foreign Affairs

Foreign Conflicts

8:00 pm

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 102: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in Darfur as it affects refugees, those displaced and those seeking the prospect of return. [30894/07]

Photo of Michael KittMichael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The humanitarian situation in Darfur remains extremely fragile, characterised by ongoing armed clashes, continuous new population displacements, increased violence inside the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and seriously constrained humanitarian access to an ever growing number of conflict affected people.

In October, armed clashes in Muhajiriya (South Darfur) and Um Dukhum (West Darfur) led to a further displacement of thousands of civilians, bringing the total tally of newly displaced this year to some 270,000 people. Adding to the complexity of the Darfur crisis is the increased presence of armed men, from all sides, jeopardizing the security of the IDPs. This, in combination with Government pressure for returns to the villages of origin has led to widespread violence amongst the IDPs along tribal lines. One example of this is the long simmering animosity amongst IDPs in Kalma camp, which recently burst into a spike of violence leading an estimated 10,000 IDPs to flee to nearby camps and Nyala town. The camp remained virtually closed for humanitarian operations for a week.

There have been some moves by the Government to get people to return to their villages of origin. However, both the United Nations and many Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) do not believe that the conditions currently exist for large numbers of people to return home. During his recent visit to Sudan and Chad, my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern T.D., raised Ireland's concerns about the humanitarian situation in Darfur, as well as about access for humanitarian workers to affected populations, directly with President Bashir and with the acting Foreign Minister of Sudan, Ali Karti.

Alleviating the suffering in Darfur is a priority for the Government. Since 2006, Ireland has provided approximately €9 million directly in response to the situation in Darfur, including almost €4 million in 2007. Since 2004, Irish Aid has also committed €5m in funding for AMIS, the African Union Mission in Sudan, currently deployed in Darfur.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.