Bernard J. Durkan
Question:94 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the reduction in aid to the Rwandan Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10423/99]
Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.
From April to July 1994 Rwanda experienced a genocide in which between 500,000 and 800,000 people were massacred. The subsequent conflict and chaos resulted in massive displacement of people both internally and to neighbouring countries. Rwanda, one of the poorest countries in Africa with a per capita GDP of US$220 in 1997, is now trying to recover from genocide and the devastation of the physical infrastructure of the country.
The Irish Government and people responded very generously to the plight of the Rwandan people and practical expression was given to this response by three visits undertaken to Rwanda by the President.
The immediate humanitarian emergency is now over and the focus of our efforts, together with those of other members of the international community, is on trying to establish the necessary conditions for peace, stability and development based on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. This is in line with EU policy which supports the process undertaken by the Rwandan Government to recover from genocide, promote national reconciliation and reconstruction and the transition to democracy. Important elements in this process are the strengthening of civil society and the rehabilitation of the institutions of government so that they are fair, inclusive and responsive to all sectors of this very divided society. Stability in Rwanda is a key element of regional stability.
Annual levels of official assistance to Rwanda are determined by the needs of the people and Irish aid funding priorities, the number and quality of the proposals received and the capacity of implementing partners on the ground. Irish assistance is targeted at the most vulnerable groups and continues to focus, in the first instance, on meeting basic needs in the areas of shelter, food security and primary health care. Human rights considerations permeate all of the rehabilitation programmes which are supported. However, Rwanda needs to be assisted to assume these and other tasks of government itself and Ireland, with other donors and UN agencies, has provided assistance for clearly identified activities of the Rwandan Government in the areas of justice, housing and health.
Assistance to the Rwandan Government in 1997 reflected the demands placed on it by the return of approximately 1.4 million Rwandan refugees from Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Grants were made to the Ministries of Family, Health, and the Interior to support the resettlement and reintegration of the returnees. There was not the same need for support of this kind in 1998.
The bulk of Irish assistance is channeled through the Irish NGOs, Concern and Trócaire, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the UN Development Programme and UNICEF. A number of international donors contribute through the UNDP Trust Fund for Rwanda to support Rwandan Government programmes and co-operate with them in rebuilding institutions and civil society. Given that Ireland does not have resident representation in Rwanda, it makes administrative sense to work as much as possible through implementing agencies located there.
Monitoring and assessment teams from the Department of Foreign Affairs pay at least two visits a year to Rwanda to monitor existing projects and assess future needs. In addition, the chargé in Uganda, who is accredited to Rwanda, visits Rwanda regularly.