Written answers

Thursday, 22 October 2020

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Irish Aid

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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84. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the severe flooding in Northern Sudan in early October 2020 which led to substantial loss of life and damage to property, livestock and crops; his plans to respond to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32145/20]

Photo of Colm BrophyColm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The severe flooding, caused by torrential rains and the overflow of the River Nile and its tributaries, has affected all of the States in Sudan.  It has caused significant damage affecting more than 875,000 people, including 150,000 refugees.  On 4 September, the Transitional Government of Sudan declared a national three-month State of Emergency and designated the country a natural disaster zone.  UN Agencies have reported 155 fatalities.   

Ireland has provided development and humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people for many years.  Since 2012, Irish humanitarian funding to Sudan has totalled over €33 million, enabling the high priority projects implemented by the best placed responders, including UN Agencies as well as international and local NGOs. 

So far this year, Ireland has contributed €3.7 million to humanitarian relief efforts, including €3 million to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund and €700,000 to Irish NGOs working in the country, including Trócaire, Concern, GOAL and World Vision.  Ireland's contribution to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund is the fifth largest from 13 donors which collectively have sent €52 million in humanitarian assistance to Sudan this year.  To date, €34 million has been allocated to life-saving humanitarian projects, including the recent floods.  A further €5.6 million for flood response projects has just been agreed. 

Other humanitarian needs have arisen due to a polio outbreak now affecting four Sudanese States and three neighbouring countries.  Plans are in place to allocate funding to cover the urgent polio vaccination campaign in Sudan, also using the Sudan Humanitarian Fund.   

Ireland also contributes €10 million each year to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund - a pool of standby funding available for rapid response by UN Agencies to support humanitarian action. This year over €10 million has been provided from this fund to support humanitarian needs in Sudan.  Additionally, Ireland contributes to the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations which committed over €60 million to Sudan in 2020 and recently increased its contribution, specifically to address floods, by €1.1 Million.

My officials are looking actively, in conjunction with the Embassy of Ireland in Nairobi (which is accredited to Sudan), at additional supports.

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