HC Deb 24 October 1988 vol 139 cc20-1
85. Mr. Hanley

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance Her Majesty's Government are providing to help the large numbers of Mozambican refugees who have fled to Malawi and neighbouring countries.

Mr. Chris Patten

So far in 1988 we have provided over £4 million for Mozambican refugees in neighbouring countries, of whom there are currently more than 900,000, £3.6 million has been channelled through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and £550,000 given to voluntary agencies for the purchase of blankets, clothing and other relief goods.

Mr. Hanley

That is an excellent and humane response, but how many refugees have entered Malawi? What help are we giving to that beleagured country with its problems?

Mr. Patten

The last count of the number of refugees in Malawi carried out in July suggested that there were 630,000 in Malawi, although refugees were still arriving at the rate of about 15,000 a month. So far we have made £2.6 million available to the UNHCR for programmes in Malawi and nearly £500,000 to provide relief goods for new arrivals. The Government of Malawi deserve our thanks and congratulations on the way in which they have responded to what is a particularly difficult situation.