It is an unfortunate, but unavoidable, reality that political conflict stands at the root of, or has served to aggravate, many of the humanitarian crises that have plagued the African continent in recent decades.
My visit to the Sudan last week was aimed at grappling with that sad fact of life facing aid donors. It was part of an effort to break the spell of political stalemate between north and south that has log-jammed the Sudan in perpetual conflict and periodic humanitarian crises for decades. The discussions I had in Khartoum represented a further expression of the Government's determination to do all it can to alleviate the suffering of famine-threatened communities in southern Sudan.
Since the start of the current food crisis, the Government has been active on both the humanitarian and political fronts. Through Irish Aid, during the month of May alone almost £1 million has been made available to international aid agencies and NGOs to support their emergency relief efforts in the most disadvantaged communities in the Sudan. A large part of Ireland's contribution goes to a major international operation co-ordinated by Operation Lifeline Sudan, which combines the resources of various agencies in an effort to maximise the delivery of life-saving supplies of food and medicines. In Sudan's situation it is plain that the humanitarian response, although essential in relieving hunger and saving lives, is not enough to lift the people out of the cycle of war and famine that has been their lot for decades. A flow of aid needs to be complemented with a political push to get at the source of the food crisis.
Last month, I brought the Sudan crisis to the EU Development Council as a matter requiring urgent attention. It was subsequently raised by [the Minister for Foreign Affairs] David Andrews at a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers. I then felt it important to discuss the crisis face-to-face with the Sudanese government in Khartoum, and to make plain to them our concerns about unhindered access for aid agencies, human rights violations, and the need for an urgent end to the conflict. I was there on June 7th and spent the day in meetings with Sudanese government ministers, political leaders and international aid officials. The Sudanese politicians I met had a particular interest in the outcome of last month's Irish referendums as they are planning to hold one to determine the political status of southern Sudan.
Drawing on the experience of our peace process, I stressed the need for both parties to the conflict to be willing to avail of international support for the negotiating process and in implementing confidence-building measures. I highlighted the role played in Northern Ireland by Senator George Mitchell and his co-chairmen and found the government side in Khartoum quite receptive to the idea of appointing a talks facilitator acceptable to both sides of the conflict there.
Nobody should underestimate the magnitude of the task involved in brokering a viable ceasefire between the government and the rebel side. Nor should we overlook the depth and evident intractability of the dispute between north and south in the Sudan. Political and religious differences between the predominantly Muslim/Arab north and the African south combine to fuel a conflict that has defied mediation efforts over a long period.
The Sudan faces an uphill climb to peace and political agreement. Compromise provides the only road map away from violence and stagnation. A solution founded on flexibility and a willingness to compromise could transform the country's fortunes. Both sides ought to be willing to exploit the enormous reservoir of international goodwill being shown towards Sudan.
This is likely to increase further with the prospect of genuine political progress, and the onset of a permanent settlement. In those circumstances, international assistance could be directed towards securing the economic advancement of the Sudan and its people instead of having to cope repeatedly with chronic emergency situations.
On the humanitarian front, it is clear that large numbers of people in the south are still in dire need of immediate assistance. The "hunger gap" that often exists at this time of year has worsened because of the fighting, the displacement of people from their homes, and the late arrival of the rains during the growing season.
From discussions I had with Operation Lifeline Sudan and various aid agencies, it is apparent that earlier calculations concerning the quantity of food needed to tide the Sudanese people over the current crisis underestimated the severity of the problem. About 900,000 people are likely to be in desperate need of food aid in the months ahead. The Sudanese government's decision to allow an increased number of relief flights into the south is a welcome development.
During my visit, I insisted that continued access for aid agencies must be guaranteed. The survival of hungry people should never be used as a lever in a conflict situation. Food deprivation cannot be permitted to become a weapon of war, nor a bargaining chip in negotiations.
The aid agencies on the ground say access to the south is no longer the problem for them, but that additional resources are needed. Unless these are supplemented immediately, the World Food Programme's stocks for southern Sudan could run out in mid-July. I am happy the Irish Government has been able to play an active part in response to the Sudan's emergency food needs.
The provision of assistance in these cases is an important aspect of our expanding aid programme. I am determined that we should continue meeting immediate humanitarian needs arising in the Sudan. I want us also to contribute, in our own right and through the EU, to a renewed push for a permanent peace. There will be an opportunity to further the quest for political progress in the Sudan when Ireland and other international donors meet with the government of Sudan, the southern-based Sudanese People's Liberation Army and the IGAD member states in The Hague on June 17th-18th. Our immediate objective will be to press for an early ceasefire and an agreed negotiating framework within which this long-running international problem can be successfully addressed.
Ms Liz O'Donnell is Minister of State for Overseas Development Assistance and Human Rights at the Department of Foreign Affairs.