Ireland Pledges Further Funding For Darfur

Dermot Ahern TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs, today announced a further €1 million for the war-torn Darfur region of Sudan. This brings to €16 million the monies pledged by the Government since April.

Minister Ahern informed United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan of the additional money in New York.  The Minister said: “As part of our support for the African Union Mission in Sudan, Ireland has pledged a further €1 million for the humanitarian and human rights components of the Mission.”

In April, the Government pledged a separate €15 million over two years at the Sudan Donors conference.

Minister Ahern said: “At the Donors Conference, the importance of addressing the humanitarian needs of the Darfur region was seen as crucial in the effective implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The emergency humanitarian programmes funded by the Government include those being operated by Concern, Goal, Oxfam Ireland and Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).”

Minister Ahern added: “We have witnessed the terrible suffering of the people in the Darfur region. Our total funding support last year was €6.38 million. In addition, almost €4 million in humanitarian assistance was provided to meet needs to the rest of Sudan, particularly the South which has suffered over twenty years of conflict.”

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2 June 2005