Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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13. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will address, at United Nations and European Union levels, the seriousness of the ongoing crisis in South Sudan, the lack of air access to hard-to-reach areas, the real possibility of famine, in the coming weeks, and the lack of political will, to bring about a resolution to the current crises. [8238/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Deputy’s question and the opportunity to discuss this important issue. I share the very serious concern about the situation in South Sudan, which achieved its independence in 2011 but has been in turmoil since the outbreak of conflict in December 2013. Continuing violence and threats have forced almost two million people to flee their homes. The country’s warring parties signed another ceasefire agreement in February following regional talks led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which were supported by the African Union and the European Union. However, the current peace remains very fragile and the humanitarian situation is extremely serious. Reports that 89 young boys were abducted over the weekend in Upper Nile State, for use as child soldiers, are particularly worrying.

South Sudan remains on the brink of famine, due to insecurity, continuing displacement and reduced food production. Some 2.5 million people are facing crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity. Malnutrition rates among children have more than doubled. The international community has been working with the United Nations to protect civilians and provide humanitarian relief. The mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), which provides security and protection for civilians, has been extended to May 2015.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recently co-hosted a high-level conference on South Sudan at which donors pledged some $600 million in assistance. Since the outbreak of the conflict at the end of 2013, Ireland has provided almost €11 million for South Sudan, through UN partners and NGOs working to alleviate the suffering of the people of the country and refugees across the region. We have pledged a further €3 million so far in 2015. We will continue to monitor the political and humanitarian situation closely, through our Embassies in the region, and in co-operation with our EU partners and the United Nations.