Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 3

Written Answers. - International Aid.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

97 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the success or otherwise of the efforts of the international community in bringing about the stabilisation of the situation in Mozambique; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17028/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The response of the international community to the crisis in Mozambique resulting from the floods of February-March of this year has been centred on a short-term emergency relief in response to the appeal of the Government of Mozambique for $1000 million to meet immediate needs and medium-term rehabilitation assistance based on the appeal at the International Reconstruction Conference for Mozambique held in Rome on 3 and 4 May in which the Government of Mozambique sought $US 449.5 million in international support for its reconstruction programme. Both of these financing targets were met by the international community.

The emergency phase, involving assistance to those affected to return to their normal life by, for example, providing housing materials, seeds and farming implements, is expected to conclude in August 2000. The reconstruction phase, using the funds raised at the conference in Rome, is expected to last until the end of the year 2001. The Government of Mozambique is determined that the infrastructure damaged by the floods should be restored and, importantly, that preventive measures be taken to mitigate the effects of any future natural disasters.

In addition to the immediate £700,000 emergency relief provided by Ireland, a further IR£1.6 million was reallocated from the budget for long-term development projects in Mozambique to meet short-term needs arising from the emergency. Furthermore an amount of IR£4.5 million was pledged by Ireland at an international donor conference held in Rome last month for the reconstruction process. IR£1.7 million of this amount is for payment to the debt alleviation fund established by the Government and will help to relieve the burden of debt on the country. The remaining IR£2.8 million will be used for the rehabilitation of roads washed away in the flood affected province of Inhambane where Ireland has had a development programme since 1996.

Quite apart from the reconstruction process, Mozambique has prepared its strategy for mid and long-term development, which is vital if it is to return to the impressive 10% growth rates achieved in the past four years. The Government reiterated its commitment to macro-economic stability and poverty reduction. Most Mozambicans still live in poverty, illiteracy and vulnerability to disease and it remains one of the worlds' poorest countries. At a World Bank consultative group meeting in Paris on 8 and 9 June 2000, between the Government of Mozambique and its international development partners, additional sums of $530 million for 2000 and $560 million for 2001 were pledged. At this meeting Ireland pledged £7.4 million for the year 2000 and indicated an intention to allocate increased amounts in subsequent years.