Vol. 562 No. 5
114 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the initiatives he has in mind to address the ever-increasing problem of famine and strife in the various African countries through the UN or the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6520/03]
246 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the current situation in respect of each of the African countries currently affected by strife, famine or dictatorship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6766/03]
252 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he, at EU or UN level, is prepared to launch initiatives with a view to alleviating hardship, hunger and strife at the most obvious and vulnerable locations throughout the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6774/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 246 and 252 together.
The Government is deeply conscious of the enormity of the challenges facing African nations as they seek to build the foundations of economic and social development, often in a climate of famine and strife. Ireland continues to address these challenges bilaterally and with our partners in the European Union and the United Nations. While the focus of Ireland Aid, the official development assistance programme of the Government, remains on Africa, it also continues to assist where needs are greatest in other parts of the world.
Ireland Aid responds in two ways to the development needs of Africa and beyond. In the short-term, we focus on saving lives in the most effective way possible through direct assistance via the UN system and international agencies, as well as non-governmental organisations. In the long-term, Ireland Aid's development programmes tackle the structural reasons underlying endemic poverty and insecurity, especially on the African continent.
Last year, the Government intervened to provide emergency and recovery assistance on over 70 occasions in more than a dozen countries throughout Africa. This humanitarian assistance amounted to more than €20 million. These interventions were designed to reduce the effects of famine and conflict on some of the most vulnerable populations in Africa, with particular emphasis on women and children.
Our direct humanitarian assistance is complemented by ongoing political action. On food insecurity, we have been working closely with our partners in the EU and the UN to develop strategies on how immediate needs can best be met at national and regional level.
I have personally visited a number of famine-affected countries in Africa in recent months. On foot of these visits I communicated directly with my EU counterparts to urge a greater humanitarian response. I have met also key figures in the EU and UN, including the EU Commissioner with responsibility for development, the deputy executive director of the UN world food programme and the secretary general of the International Federation of the Red Cross, to highlight my concerns and to discuss ways of improving the co-ordination of assistance.
If we are to break the cyclical nature of food insecurity and conflict in Africa, the underlying structural problems affecting poverty and stability must be addressed. Ireland Aid has strong development partnerships with six countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Through these partnerships Ireland Aid fully engages with the Governments, donors and EU and UN agencies on the basis of poverty reduction strategy plans. These plans outline how each country prioritises resources and policies with the objective of reducing poverty. The programmes contain a strong governance element throughout to assist in the building of democratic structures, the rule of law and a culture of respect for human rights.
This comprehensive and African-owned approach by donors, Governments and civil societies stands the best chance of reversing the downward spiral of economic and social indicators in sub-Saharan Africa, reducing conflict and strife, and facilitating real and positive change in the lives of millions of Africans.
I do not need to rehearse the figures for the Minister of State who is more experienced than most people and is well aware of the situation. The charity Concern estimates that in Ethiopia alone, up to 35 million people will be in need of food this year. Will the Minister tell the House how much of the EU budget for developing countries remained unspent in the last calendar year, and why was it not spent?
Exactly.
I share Deputy Mitchell's concern about Ethiopia in particular. Having been there myself, I am very conscious of the reality on the ground. Since my visit, a pre-famine situation has developed, placing 11 million people in great danger. Given the drought conditions, even greater numbers may be threatened by famine.
The European Union is a major current contributor to humanitarian relief in Ethiopia and elsewhere. The figures for humanitarian assistance for the southern African region amounts to €340 million, of which one third was allocated by the Commission. The EU has committed assistance of €160 million for the Horn of Africa. One of my responsibilities is to ensure that we maintain pressure on the European Commission in this regard. I have had a number of meetings with the Commissioner and with my EU colleagues to ensure that the EU plays a prominent role not only in respect of famine relief requirements but in the long-term approach towards Africa. I am sure the Deputy will agree that the role Ireland plays in this area is respected, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, and we will continue to play that role.
Those are the types of figures I can share with the Deputy as regards the Commission. We keep in regular touch with it. We need to co-ordinate and redouble our efforts, especially in regard to Ethiopia. Food aid is required there immediately. There is a deficit there. Since I visited that country, I have urged the Commission and the European Union as a whole to do much more and I will continue to do that.
Will the Minister answer the question I asked; how much of the EU's budget for the developing world was not spent in the last calendar year and why?
I do not have that precise figure, but I can send it to the Deputy.
Is it €1 billion?
I would have to get the precise figure for the Deputy. I am sure I could get it for the Deputy today or tomorrow. That type of figure he mentioned would not be the amount in question. It is our responsibility to ensure that the money is well spent, especially having regard to the current needs in the region. According to the World Food Programme, an estimated 30 million people in Africa are directly affected by serious food shortages.
The European Union has resources, yet there is this terrible need. Why are the necessary resources not getting to the region?
I genuinely do not believe that is the real problem. I mentioned figures for Ethiopia. There is deficit there and there is a responsibility on the United States and others to fill it. Since my visit to that country, I am aware that the USA made further commitments in respect of meeting immediate requirements there, and the EU is still a substantial player in providing resources to meet particular needs. I will get that specific figure for the Deputy.
We met the Commissioner at the Foreign Affairs committee last year and a few years ago. The issue is the proportion of money that has been voted but scandalously lies unspent. Does the Minister of State agree that damage is being done because the countries that are asked to vote more money know that the money they have voted already has not been disbursed by the Commission, which is a disgrace?
When the Minister of State gets the figure which Deputy Gay Mitchell requested, he might also give the House the figure in respect of the proportion of the commitments made in Johannesburg that have been met. My information is that not even 30% of the commitments made have been delivered. In other words, in a flare of publicity countries made commitments to help alleviate world hunger, but they have not delivered on them and that position, in turn, is damaged by the European Commission's failure to disburse money that has already been voted. That is the position, despite the Commissioner coming here and talking to the Foreign Affairs committee and telling us how he was reorganising everything. He has managed to reorganise in a such a way that hardly any of the NGOs are speaking to him in Brussels, as the Minister of State will be aware. The Minister of State might like to reflect on that.
Is the Minister of State aware that all the forecasts predict further famines and ecological refugees because of global warming? Is that not a reason we must act and be totally committed to the Kyoto Protocol? Is he aware, in his capacity as Minister of State, that this is a serious problem?
I am very much aware of the impact of global warming on the developing world and have experienced and witnessed the effects of it. I agree with the Deputy's view on the Kyoto Protocol. We have an emphasis on agriculture and development in that area. I have set up a policy and task force on agriculture and I witnessed the impact of many of the creative and innovative schemes we have in place throughout Sub-Saharan Africa during my visits there. We will continue to maintain that emphasis on the need for sustainable development.
With regard to the EU Commission and the EU in general, I agree with Deputy Michael Higgins that there are commitments that need to be fulfilled. We were the first country to honour our commitment to the global fund on HIV-AIDS and to put money up-front. It is scandalous that many countries who send representatives to these well heralded meetings, such as the Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg to which the Deputy referred, make announcements and pronouncements, but do not pursue them. All we can do is lead by example and we have done that right across the board not only in regard to development issues in general but specifically in relation HIV-AIDS. I am sure the Deputy will agree we have shown the way forward in that regard and our position has been acknowledged internationally. I will get those figures for the Deputies and I will ensure that the Government maintains pressure on the Commission to ensure that these moneys are spent properly.
