Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2013
76. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to focus on humanitarian and other issues in the Great Lakes region of Africa; if adequate resources are available to adequately address the problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23608/13]
View answerThe Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to face one of the most complex and enduring humanitarian crises in the world. After decades of war, instability and poor governance the humanitarian needs facing the country are enormous. Ongoing conflict, human rights violations and gender-based violence in the east of the country continue to displace hundreds of thousands of people internally and across borders into Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda. The challenges facing the DRC require the support of the international community not just in terms of traditional humanitarian interventions but also longer term strategies which aim to build the lasting capacity and increase the ability of communities to withstand future shocks. Furthermore, the situation demands the attention and political support of the United Nations and regional actors.
In this regard, I have in recent weeks voiced Ireland’s strong support for the appointment by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of Mary Robinson as his Special Envoy to oversee the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement and the leadership offered by the United Nation in this renewed effort to break the cycle of violence in eastern DRC. I also recognise the constructive role the European Union is playing in the region. The EU is working through political and diplomatic engagement and development cooperation programmes, in support of implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement and the strengthening of the UN peace-keeping force MONUSCO. The European Commission (DG ECHO) provided almost €61 million in humanitarian aid to DRC in 2012, with a further €12.7 million provided to the Great Lakes region and in support of Congolese refugees. Current plans foresee at least €54 million being provided in 2013. As Presidency of the European Union, Ireland has consistently worked to ensure a strong EU position on the DRC and to highlight the need for humanitarian organisations in eastern DRC to have access to those displaced and in need of assistance.
Ireland is a significant humanitarian donor to the DRC. In 2012 alone, Ireland provided over €10 million in emergency and longer-term development funding to the country. Some €6.9 million of this funding was allocated to the Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF) for DRC, a UN-administered fund which is allocated to projects by the resident UN Humanitarian Coordinator, with an additional €3 million provided to Christian Aid, Concern, Trócaire and Oxfam. So far in 2013, Ireland has provided €3.8 million in funding, with much of this directed at the provision of emergency food, water, health and protection to vulnerable groups in eastern DRC.
In addition to this direct humanitarian assistance and our work as EU Presidency, Ireland also continues to monitor the human rights situation in the DRC closely and will continue to use our membership of the Human Rights Council to raise issues of concern with regards human rights abuses and violations as appropriate. In this regard, we look forward to raising these issues when the Human Rights Council next discusses DRC in September 2013.
