Vol. 577 No. 1
19 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total funding provided by Ireland for emergency humanitarian assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 2003; and the projected allocation for 2004. [30407/03]
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC, has been decimated by conflict over many years. War has destroyed many parts of the country and has further crippled an already weak population. Morbidity, mortality and HIV/AIDS rates are very high and access to basic social services is practically non-existent. These are key indicators of a grave humanitarian crisis.
The Government has provided approximately €2 million in humanitarian and development assistance to the DRC in 2003. This funding has been provided to a range of humanitarian organisations including UNICEF, Medicins sans Frontieres, the World Health Organisation and Concern. Irish assistance has focused on water and sanitation programmes, primary and emergency health care and livelihood security.
In 2002, a little over €2 million was provided to Concern, Goal, Trocaire, Oxfam, World Vision, UNICEF and the International Rescue Committee for humanitarian operations in the DRC. This funding also included assistance for victims of the volcanic eruption in Goma.
In 2003 the DRC entered a new phase in its political history. The previous government and former rebel groups have united for the first time under the banner of national unity and formed a new transitional government. There is cautious optimism about the future of the country. During 2004, Ireland will continue to assist efforts to alleviate and prevent human suffering in the DRC. We will help to rebuild livelihoods and facilitate co-ordination mechanisms which link relief with longer-term development. Support will be provided for humanitarian operations and, where appropriate, recovery initiatives in the DRC. I expect that funding next year to the DRC from Ireland will be broadly on the same scale as 2003, or will show a slight increase, especially if the momentum for recovery gathers pace.
Question No. 20 answered with Question No. 13.
