Vol. 402 No. 3
54 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the response he has made to the pending disaster and famine in Ethiopia; and whether he has raised this issue with his colleagues on the Council of Foreign Ministers of the EC with a view to reacting immediately to the crisis.
The Government are keeping under constant review the situation now developing in Ethiopia, where an estimated four million people are at risk from famine. From the outset of the crisis last autumn, the Government have taken action to assist the victims. To date this year £315,000 has been allocated from the disaster relief fund to assist emergency relief operations in Ethiopia. In 1989 £450,000 was also provided for relief operations there.
The Government remain very deeply concerned about the situation in Ethiopia and have been to the forefront in efforts by the Community — particularly during the period of the Irish Presidency — to relieve the suffering of the Ethiopian people and to bring an end to the long-running civil war there. All the parties involved in the Ethiopian conflict have been made aware, on many occasions, of the importance which the EC attaches to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Sustained pressure has also been applied to ensure that all parties co-operate in ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches the affected areas.
Ethiopia is the subject of regular discussion within the framework of European political co-operation and I can assure the Deputy that Ireland, together with the rest of the Twelve, will continue to take an active interest in the situation.
