Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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435. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which aid efforts are successfully focused on Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38226/14]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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A total of 6.1 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Sudan, as a result of conflict, insecurity, environmental conditions and displacement. In 2014, some 398,000 people have been newly displaced in Darfur. As a result of the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, large numbers of people are currently crossing the border into Sudan. In addition, during 2011 fighting between the Sudanese armed forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement- North erupted in South Kordofan and Blue Nile. According to UNHCR, there are now 240,000 Sudanese refugees from these regions who have sought haven in South Sudan and in Ethiopia.

Ireland is strongly supporting the efforts of the international community to provide a comprehensive response to the humanitarian needs of the Sudanese people. Through our aid programme we have so far in 2014 provided €1 million to the UN - managed Common Humanitarian Fund for Sudan. We are also supporting a number of Irish NGOs working in the country. Over €3.3 million has been provided in 2014 to Concern, Goal, World Vision and Trocaire for projects in conflict-affected regions of Sudan. These projects include the provision of food security and livelihoods, as well as health, education, and water and sanitation services. A number of Irish missionary organisations working in Sudan have also received support from the Government for their important work.

Ireland has also been active at EU and UN level. Most recently at the 27th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, of which we are currently a member, Ireland made a national statement on the Report of the Independent Expert on the Human Rights Situation in Sudan. We share the concerns of the Independent Expert in relation to the increasingly difficult environment for civil society organisations working in Sudan. We are also concerned about humanitarian access to a number of conflict affected areas. The report notes that 160,000 children under the age of five have not received routine vaccinations in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States. Our statement to the Council strongly endorsed the call for armed movements in Sudan to facilitate humanitarian access to conflict areas.

We are working with other EU members states to re examine the EU’s engagement with Sudan from a political perspective, but also in terms of how the EU can best support the fight against poverty and hunger in Sudan. I expect that the matter will be on the agenda for the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 October.