P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to an article (details supplied); if he will ensure that his Department gives every assistance possible to this particular village and to similar situations in Rwanda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15163/08]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the plight of child headed households in Rwanda and find the courage and resilience of the children and young people described in The Irish Times article "Orphans of genocide rear themselves in village of children" deeply moving. The challenges of access to education, health and employment are heavy burdens for all such young people. Fourteen years after the genocide in Rwanda, when more than 800,000 innocent people lost their lives, the country is still coming to terms with the aftermath of that horror.

Ireland continues to provide significant support to the people of Rwanda as they work to rebuild their country. Since 2006 Ireland has provided humanitarian and development assistance of over €7 million to the people of Rwanda. This funding is channelled through non-governmental organisations such as Irish NGOs Trócaire and Concern who are doing such good work on the ground. We have also funded the work of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) as it seeks to provide emergency food to those most in need. Our assistance to such work will continue.