Vol. 533 No. 3
86 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position in Somalia with particular reference to international efforts to assist in the area of alleviation of hunger, hardship and human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8582/01]
The Government welcomes the positive developments in Somalia since the convening of the National Peace Conference in May 2000. After ten years of violence and human suffering Somalia is now perceived to be in a period of transition following the election of a transitional national assembly and President in August 2000. The political developments have now given a tremendous opportunity for lasting peace and reconciliation in Somalia.
The Government is fully committed to supporting the Somali people in their efforts to establish peace, stability and reconstruction of the institutions of governance, on the basis of a unified state with a federal system. Through our membership of the EU and the UN, we have indicated our willingness to assist in building reconciliation in Somalia. However, a massive task lies ahead in ensuring that progress is sustained and enhanced by our continued support for reconstruction, development and humanitarian programmes.
Along with our partners in the European Union we are also contributing in broader terms to the rehabilitation and reconciliation processes in Somalia. The overall objective is to enhance peace and security as well as improve the social and economic status of the people of Somalia. The EU programme focuses on rural development, namely, agriculture and livestock, rural and urban water supply, primary health care, primary education, infrastructure, support for peace building, governance and civil society and de-mining. It comprises three major components, including long-term development assistance provided under the European development funds from the rehabilitation budget line and from the de-mining budget line.
The third EU rehabilitation programme for Somalia will make 26.1 million available over the next three years to support these sectors. The programme will also be complemented by funding from the European Commission's food security budget line, with an allocation of 8 million. In 1999 and 2000 the EU Commission provided almost 2.5 million for human rights and democratisation projects and 16 million in humanitarian aid for Somalia. Due to the political situation in Somalia, the EU has had to make special provisions for the delivery of its assistance. Therefore, the EU programme has been channelled through non-governmental organisations and other channels to provide direct support to local communities.
Following on Ireland's committed responses to previous humanitarian emergencies in Somalia, Ireland Aid provided £707,000 in emergency and rehabilitation assistance to that country last year. So far this year, Ireland Aid has provided a total of £462,000 in rehabilitation assistance. This included allocations to the Irish NGOs Concern and Trócaire for projects dealing with issues of food security and education. Further grants were made to the International Rescue Committee, which is undertaking the rehabilitation of a maternity ward and World Vision which is carrying out an agricultural rehabilitation project. Both bilaterally and in conjunction with our EU and UN partners, we will continue to support lasting peace and democratic transition in Somalia for the benefit of all its people.
87 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the international community is monitoring developments and events in Nigeria; if any success can be reported in the area of alleviation of hardship and human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8583/01]
The Government and the international community, including the EU and the international financial institutions, are closely monitoring developments in Nigeria, including in the areas of poverty alleviation, economic reform and human rights.
President Obasanjo has faced enormous challenges since coming to power as the first democratically-elected civilian President of Nigeria after 15 years of military rule. He has inherited an economy in disarray which has resulted in a standard of living lower than it was at independence. High levels of unemployment have exacerbated the poverty in which a large part of the population now find themselves. Furthermore, the introduction of Islamic Sharia law in a number of states in northern Nigeria in the course of the year 2000 has exacerbated ethnic and religious tensions there.
The Nigerian Government has taken a number of important steps to address the major problems in the economy, including in the areas of market reform, privatisation and the fight against corruption. The human rights situation in most parts of Nigeria has also improved since the new civilian Government came to power. The Government welcomes the positive initiatives taken to date and, together with our EU partners and other members of the international community, we will continue to co-operate with the elected authorities in their efforts to reduce poverty and ensure respect for human rights in Nigeria.
