Written Answers. - Overseas Aid.
Roger T. Garland
Ceist:
36
Mr. Garland
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if his attention has been drawn to the report of 16 May 1991 compiled by a representative of Concern (details supplied) relating to the present position in the Sudan, which was circulated to Members of the Oireachtas; if he will outline the measures the Government propose to take both at home and at European level in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I keep the situation in the Sudan under close review, receiving information on the situation there from a variety of sources, including Fr. Aengus Finucane, chief executive of Concern, whose most recent note was prepared on 16 May.
Fr. Finucane was able to report on some positive aspects, in particular on what would appear to be a more co-operative attitude by the Government of Sudan to the relief effort. Fr. Finucane states,inter alia, that considerable amounts of grain were being permitted to enter the country; relief ships had been given precedence; foreign voluntary agencies have been registered; and political prisoners released. However, he warns against any undue complacency; for example, there has still been no official admission of the extent of the famine.
This information is in accordance with that received from other sources. While the World Food Programme reports that 56 per cent of the assessed needs for 1991 have been pledged, nearly eight million people are still threatened by serious food shortages, particularly in the south. The logistical problems involved in the relief operations are enormous. The situation is worsened by the ongoing civil war, the grim economic circumstances and soaring food prices.
The Government are deeply concerned about the situation in Sudan. Since January 1990 they have provided £500,000 in emergency relief from their disaster relief fund through a variety of Irish and international agencies involved in the famine relief effort. They have also arranged for £250,000 to be provided to the Sudan through the World Food Programme. During the same period, the European Community provided over 30 million ECUs in emergency food and aid programmes for the Sudan. Ireland, of course, participated in all these through her EC budgetary contributions.
Most recently, in view of the famine crisis in Africa and particularly in the Horn of Africa, the General Affairs Council of 15 April agreed to provide a further 400,000 tonnes of food, with member states contributing about an additional 200,000 tonnes. The value of this additional effort by the EC and its member states amounts to over 200 MECUS of which the Irish contribution is nearly £1.3 million. It is to be hoped that this new effort by the Community will encourage other major donors to help close the remaining food gap for 1991.
As proposed by Ireland, the Development Council of 27 May also agreed that a high level mission would be sent to the Horn of Africa. Although the details of this political initiative have yet to be worked out it is hoped that it can assist the relief effort in the Sudan at this critical time by focusing political attention on the area and on the immediate actions which need to be taken by the administrations and forces directly involved.
