Ireland's development co-operation programme has Africa at its core. Along with our partners in the international community, we are working to prevent or manage conflict wherever it occurs. As well as directly assisting many of the poorest countries in Africa, Ireland is a strong advocate for the developing world and for international peace and security through our membership of the EU and the UN.
Ireland provides assistance to vulnerable populations suffering the consequences of conflict, recognising that conflict is closely linked to poverty. We work with key partners such as UN agencies and non-governmental organisations, NGOs, to effectively deliver humanitarian assistance to those most in need.
In 2005 alone, Ireland has provided emergency and recovery support to eighteen countries in Africa. This is in addition to core funding which Ireland provides to international agencies, including the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, the World Food Programme, WFP, the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, the UN Development Programme, UNDP, and the Red Cross family on an annual basis, for their efforts to assist vulnerable populations suffering the effects of conflict and food insecurity across the entire continent of Africa.
The EU is the world's largest contributor of development co-operation. At the emergency humanitarian level, the EU strives to meet the needs of the most vulnerable and food insecure populations of Africa. In 2004, the European Commission's Humanitarian Office, ECHO, provided humanitarian assistance of some €297 million to Africa. The EU's long-term development programmes are aimed at rebuilding the social and economic infrastructure of Africa. Ireland supports this work and also the EU's efforts in preventing and resolving conflicts on the African continent. We have supported the EU peace facility for Africa and have also assisted the African Union mission in Sudan, AMIS, as part of the EU's joint actions to foster peace and security in Darfur, Sudan.
I am deeply conscious of the enormity of the challenges facing African nations as they strive to build the foundations of economic and social development, often in a climate of hunger and warfare. Conflict and the resultant human suffering present complex challenges for the international community. The underlying structural problems affecting poverty and stability must be addressed if we are to break the cyclical nature of food insecurity, disease and conflict in Africa. This is pursued through longer-term development assistance.
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.
We face considerable challenges in working in Africa. However, I believe our approach stands the best chance of success in enabling a better future for all of the peoples of Africa.