Minister Joe Costello TD announces €2 million in emergency assistance for Sudan and South Sudan.

AN ROINN GNÓTHAÍ EACHTRACHA AGUS TRÁDÁLA
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE

Minister for Trade and Development Joe Costello T.D announces €2 million in emergency assistance for Sudan and South Sudan

Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello T.D, today announced €2 million in funding to provide life-saving food, shelter, basic health care and water to the most vulnerable communities in Sudan and South Sudan.
Some 8.5 million people need urgent humanitarian assistance in both countries. Ongoing conflict is driving people to flee their homes, particularly in border areas between Sudan and South Sudan. Malnutrition rates are above emergency levels in both countries.

Minister Costello said:

“Tomorrow, July 9, marks the second anniversary of the independence of the Republic of South Sudan. It is the world’s newest State. While we welcome the progress made since 2011, many communities remain extremely vulnerable to disease and food shortages as a result of decades of conflict and chronic underdevelopment. More than 4 million people do not have access to enough nutritious food.

“In Sudan, the UN estimates that 4.4 million people need assistance, with 3.5 million people in Darfur alone in need of emergency food assistance. While there has been progress, with 200,000 displaced people returning to their homes in Darfur, almost 1.5 million people continue to live in temporary camps.

“The assistance I am announcing today will provide food, shelter, basic health-care and education to the worst-affected communities in both countries and help to safe-guard the gains made in recent years.”

This funding is being channelled through the United Nations’ Common Humanitarian Funds for Sudan and South Sudan. This additional assistance brings Ireland’s total support to Sudan and South Sudan to almost €5.5 in 2013.

Press Office
July 8, 2013