Bernard J. Durkan
Question:135 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress and objectives in regard to combating water shortage on the continent of Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14793/04]
View answerWednesday, 19 May 2004
Questions (136, 137)
Written answers
Drinking water, in sufficient quantity and quality, is a basic human need and is also one of the key prerequisites for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Immediate impacts from access to an improved water supply include improved health, as well as savings in time and effort, resulting in significant economic and social benefits.
In terms of progress in Africa, the Joint Monitoring Programme of the United Nations and the World Health Organisation reports that water supply coverage in Africa increased from 57% in 1990 to 62% in the year 2000. This improvement, however, masks tremendous disparities, with urban populations having 85% coverage while rural coverage was just 47% in the year 2000. Within the framework of its overarching objective of poverty reduction, Development Co-operation Ireland attaches very high priority to the water sector in its support for programme countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This is reflected in the fact that total support for the water and sanitation sector in our bilateral programme doubled from €6 million in 2000 to just over €12 million in 2003. A recent survey by a consortium of non-government organisations, including WaterAid and Oxfam, confirmed that Ireland, which allocates 92% of its budget for the water sector to countries in the sub-Saharan Africa region, leads the donor community in providing support for improved water supply coverage to those developing countries in most need.
The Irish Presidency of the European Union has recently played a pivotal role in bringing the European Union water facility to fruition. The facility will initially provide up to €500 million to the water sector by the end of 2005, with an additional €500 million possible by the end of 2007.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:136 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans in the context of the Irish Presidency to combat war and starvation in Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14794/04]
View answerI remain 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 hunger and warfare. The reduction of poverty, hunger and conflict in Africa are some of the most important tasks to which the international community can dedicate itself in the 21st century. The key issues of conflict prevention and poverty reduction are priorities for the Irish Presidency.
As Minister of State for development co-operation and human rights, I have seen the effects of conflict and food insecurity in many different parts of the world, from the Middle East to Timor Leste, from central America to Africa and elsewhere. In March last, I witnessed the physical, psychological and economic devastation wreaked on the populations of Sierra Leone and Liberia by decades of protracted conflict. As Presidency, Ireland is leading EU efforts to contribute to regional and country-level peace processes that are currently underway in Africa.
Conflict has many causes and many manifestations. However, it is nurtured, fed and strengthened by poverty, inequality and exclusion. The majority of wars occur in the poorest countries and they mostly affect the poorest people, particularly women and children. Conflict presents complex challenges for us all, but our efforts must be clearly focused on the underlying causes. Ireland's development co-operation programme seeks to address the root causes of conflict by ensuring that conflict sensitivity is reflected in all instruments of development support and partnership. Furthermore, our engagement with and support for civil society is a key area of our programme focus.
At European Union level it is now broadly acknowledged that development policy and other forms of co-operation provide powerful instruments for tackling conditions and problems which give rise to conflict. Within the Union we are introducing innovations and initiatives aimed at diagnosing conflict risks or conflict indicators through, for example, the country strategy process, as well as at a regional level.
The regional dimension to the various conflicts which have affected west Africa for example is very pertinent. As Presidency, Ireland is currently finalising agreement on a west Africa strategy which will endeavour, in conjunction with the UN, to ensure an integrated approach to tackling the causes of conflict and instability in that region. This was discussed at the EU Ministerial Troika meeting with ECOWAS on 10 May last.
Ireland is supportive of the decision by the EU to establish a peace facility for Africa, which will assist in supporting African Governments to prevent and solve conflicts on their continent. A total of €250 million has been allocated by the EU for the peace facility. Last March, the Irish EU Presidency hosted an informal meeting of the EU Humanitarian Affairs Committee in Dublin. At Ireland's initiative, the meeting brought together senior representatives from the humanitarian offices in member states and the Commission to share information in relation to the better management of humanitarian assistance in regions affected by conflict and related crises.
Also in March, the Irish EU Presidency hosted a three-day European regional conference on the role of NGOs and civil society in the prevention of armed conflict. The conference brought together a wide range of key actors from governments, EU and UN institutions and non-governmental organisations to discuss the critical role that NGOs and civil society can play in the prevention, mitigation and resolution of conflict.
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 has strong development partnerships with six countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Through these partnerships, Ireland fully engages with the Governments, donors, EU and UN agencies on the basis of poverty reduction strategy plans, PRSPs. The PRSPs outline how each country prioritises resources and policies with the objective of reducing poverty. These 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 facilitating real and positive change in the lives of millions of Africans.
Question No. 137 answered with QuestionNo. 16.