Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the supports being made available with regard to the escalating humanitarian crisis in South Sudan. [21119/18]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is strongly committed to responding to the escalating humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, where over 6.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Conflict, drought, severe food insecurity and the threat of famine, are causing massive population displacement and suffering throughout the country.

Ireland’s utmost priority is to ensure that life-saving assistance reaches those most in need. Since 2012, we have provided over €54 million in humanitarian assistance to South Sudan. In the first four months of this year, I have already approved €3.5 million and an additional disbursement to NGO partners is under way. Additional funding will be considered in the coming months.

Our funding provides supports to those in need inside South Sudan as well as South Sudanese refugees in the region. We work with UN, Red Cross and NGO partners to ensure that our funding reaches the most vulnerable, providing lifesaving humanitarian supplies and basic services.

The Government recognises that humanitarian aid alone is not the answer; a political solution must be found to the conflict. Ireland, with EU partners supports the efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) to revitalise the 2015 Peace Agreement. We will ensure to use every opportunity to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the conflict while also insisting on respect for international humanitarian law and the safe delivery of assistance to those most in need.

Departmental officials, in particular the Embassy in Addis Ababa, which has responsibility for South Sudan, will continue to monitor the situation closely and engage with local, regional and international parties to encourage progress. The Irish Ambassador in Addis Ababa visited Juba last month.