HL Deb 23 May 1995 vol 564 cc918-9

2.55 p.m.

Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their latest estimate of the humanitarian aid needed in Rwanda, Burundi and adjacent areas of central Africa and what response they are making both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, the United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs estimates 1995 humanitarian needs for Rwanda and the sub-region at £500 million. United Nations agencies report that current humanitarian needs are being met. Since April 1994, the UK has provided nearly £91 million of emergency and rehabilitation aid, including our share of EU assistance.

Lord Judd

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that reply. Can she assure the House that there will be no question of refugees from the genocide and its consequences in Rwanda being forced to return to an uncertain and perhaps dangerous future by the denial of food, adequate security in the camps and other support? In that context, does she realise that she and the Government will have the full support of this side of the House in persuading the European Union to continue its support and to reverse its hasty decision to freeze aid?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, I am grateful for the noble Lord's supplementary question. We conclude that the emergency phase is now over. We need to concentrate on rehabilitation and to continue efforts to create conditions for the safe voluntary return of the refugees.

Lord Allen of Abbeydale

My Lords, will the Minister say what contribution the UK Government are making to help to stop the spread of the Ebola virus? What precautions are taken about people coming to this country from Zaire?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, we are providing £75,000 to the International Federation of the Red Cross in response to its appeal. The European Union has provided around £200,000 of emergency aid. We remain in close touch with the World Health Organisation and are monitoring the situation carefully. The UK's assistance will help to strengthen disease control activities, boost existing support to hospitals and continue the Red Cross's public information campaign.

With regard to the noble Lord's second point, appropriate precautions are in place to monitor UK entry points for anyone exposed to the virus. The risks of travellers from Zaire carrying the virus are extremely low. It is not easily passed on to others.

Lord Avebury

My Lords, how are the humanitarian agencies attacking the problem with regard to those who committed genocide and who are located in some of the camps? Some of the aid given by the West is being used to sustain and improve the physical conditions of people who plan to return and restart the genocide.

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, humanitarian assistance is the most important factor. It is reaching those in need. The strengthened security measures, the improved relief distributions and the thorough registration exercise have significantly reduced diversion.

Lord Judd

My Lords, in the context of security, do the Government agree that there is a close and growing interrelationship between the instability in Rwanda, Burundi and Zaire and indeed the region as a whole? Will the Government do everything possible to support the early convening of a conference to examine the economic, social and political issues of the region in endeavouring to find a comprehensive solution?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, I must make a plug. The UK has responded quickly and generously since the start of the crisis in April 1994. We continue to monitor the situation and are ready to do more. A meeting of the Development Council on 1st June will be attended by my noble friend Lady Chalker.

We have been following the events in Burundi for some time. That is the reason that my noble friend Lady Chalker went there last summer. We continue to monitor the situation and keep in close touch with British NGOs and other bodies.