Dóchas appears in front of Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee

Opening Statement to the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence

8th October 2024

Jane Ann McKenna, CEO, Dóchas 

David Regan, CEO Concern

Caoimhe De Barra, CEO Trócaire

Siobhan Walsh, CEO Goal Global

Chairman, Deputies and Senators, thank you for the invitation to meet with you today to brief you on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

The enormity of the crisis in Sudan is hard to comprehend. As a result of ongoing conflict, deliberate disruption of humanitarian aid programmes, displacement and destruction of services, people are dying of hunger, with famine declared in North Darfur and thought to be much more widespread. 

An incredible number, 26 million people's lives are hanging in the balance. Nine million children are food insecure. 3.4 million children are at high risk of epidemic diseases and more than 700,000 children under five years old risk dying from starvation. Floods further threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

More than 12 million people have fled their homes. Many have been forced to flee repeatedly, with little access to shelter, income and basic necessities. Civilians are suffering horrific forms of abuse and gender-based violence. Reports of indiscriminate attacks, killings and other atrocities are gruesome hallmarks of this conflict.

The steps the Irish Government has taken in recent weeks to bring attention to the crisis in Sudan are significant. We welcome the Taoiseach’s address in the Dáil where he committed to using Ireland’s voice to demand a ceasefire, humanitarian access, protection of civilians, and accountability for human rights abuses. We also acknowledge the Tánaiste’s remarks at the UN General Assembly High-Level Week to highlight the crisis in Sudan, and were encouraged by Minister Fleming’s address at the UN General Assembly where he stated that ‘we must do whatever it takes to pressure the parties to come back to the negotiating table, and bring to an end this destructive cycle of violence’.  It is vital that our high level of diplomatic engagement on this crisis is sustained. 

Ireland’s public voice and leadership is recognised, impactful and appreciated by civil society. However, we believe it is important that Ireland’s voice, as a champion for those furthest behind, needs to be matched by its funding. 

At a time when there are devastating humanitarian crises in Sudan, Middle East and other parts of the world, it is deeply disappointing that there was no additional funding for development and humanitarian assistance in Budget 2025. We fear there is a growing disconnect between the escalating needs globally and our ODA funding – as we move further away from reaching the Government’s target of 0.7% GNI on Overseas Development Assistance by 2030. 

Getting the response that Sudan needs right now is our first priority but the level of destruction and devastation encountered by the Sudanese people will take a generation to overcome. That is why longer term funding and commitment is essential.

Many of our members, including those here with me today, are working with communities in Sudan and in the neighbouring countries - and are persevering in the most challenging and difficult circumstances - to deliver humanitarian aid.

We know that this committee has been a strong champion for those affected by humanitarian crises and for the calls of Dóchas and its members.  

We ask the Committee to: 

Uphold Ireland’s commitment to reach 0.7% GNI on Overseas Development Assistance, and publish a pathway to achieve this. 

Use all political efforts to bring about an end to the hostilities through an immediate ceasefire and an inclusive peace process. Accelerate coordinated diplomatic efforts to push for unfettered humanitarian access using all crossline and cross-border routes from Chad, South Sudan and neighbouring countries. 

Use Ireland's role on the executive committees of WFP, UNICEF and Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to ensure humanitarian aid is appropriate, timely and delivered at scale, and ensure accountability and oversight on where and how funding is allocated. 

Be vocal in its condemnation of (and supportive of efforts to ensure accountability for) the violation of international legal norms in this conflict including international humanitarian law and human rights law.

Amplify the voices of the women of Sudan, ensuring that all efforts to end violence, resolve conflict, and establish a pathway to peace and justice includes their meaningful and equitable participation.