Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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231. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the international community is meeting the challenges of Boko Haram and Al Shabab; the degree to which international aid is being interfered with by such organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18643/17]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The Government has consistently condemned the human rights abuses being perpetrated by Al Shabaab and by Boko Haram, which remain a threat to the peace, stability and prosperity of Somalia and Nigeria respectively, and neighbouring countries.

In Somalia, progress has been made in containing the threat of Al Shabaab. The Somali Government is supported by the African Union, and the EU and UN, in working to improve security. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), the African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and EU support for Somali army training and maritime security are vital to this work. Ireland has contributed €31 million in humanitarian assistance, since 2012, including almost €6 million last year. Last month, we contributed a further €3 million to the UN-managed Somalia Humanitarian Fund. Later this week, we are airlifting over 100 tonnes of Ireland’s stockpiled humanitarian relief supplies into Somalia. The airlift, worth over €600,000, will be dispatched from the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Dubai.

In 2016 the EU pledged up to €50 million in support of the Multinational Joint Taskforce, which supports 8,700 troops from Nigeria and other West African countries. Since 2015 Ireland has provided over €3 million in humanitarian funding for those affected by the crisis in North East Nigeria and the wider region. We have also deployed six personnel to various UN partners in the region under the Irish Aid Rapid Response Initiative.

Al Shabaab and Boko Haram create an environment of insecurity resulting humanitarian crises that make it difficult to meet humanitarian needs. Every effort is taken to ensure that international aid is not interfered with by such groups. The presence of AMISOM troops and the Somalia National Army helps ensure that humanitarian assistance is delivered to those communities that are most in need, but the task remains a challenging one.

We are continuing to monitor developments in relation to both Al Shabaab and Boko Haram, and to work with the relevant Governments, regional authorities and other key partners to address the humanitarian crisis through diplomatic engagement and humanitarian funding.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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232. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which women and girls held hostage by Boko Haram or other similar organisations remain the focus of the international community with a view to ensuring their release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18644/17]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I am deeply concerned by the human rights abuses being perpetrated by Boko Haram, including the taking hostage of women and girls.

We, and the broader international community, have consistently called on all parties to ensure that abductions and kidnappings by Boko Haram and other groups cease and that all those who have been taken hostage are released.

The UN estimates that, since 2012, thousands of women and girls have been abducted by Boko Haram. During this time, more than 1,000 child abductees have escaped or been rescued. The risk of abduction in the north-east of Nigeria remains high and there have been further abductions this year.

Since they were abducted by Boko Haram in April 2014, Ireland has consistently called for the release of the Chibok schoolgirls. I welcomed the news in October 2016 of the release of 21 girls following talks facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Swiss Government.

The international community remains engaged in dialogue with the Nigerian Government on how to enhance security and build safe communities. In order to assist the Nigerian Government in creating a safe and secure environment for its people, the EU and UN have continued to provide assistance. Last year, the EU pledged support of up to €50 million in support of the Multinational Joint Taskforce, which supports 8,700 troops from Nigeria and other West African countries. Since 2014 the EU has also contributed over €74 million in humanitarian assistance to Nigeria.

Ireland will continue to monitor developments closely through our embassy in Abuja, which remains in close contact with the Nigerian authorities on the threat posed by Boko Haram.