HL Deb 10 February 1997 vol 578 cc5-6

2.55 p.m.

Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their latest assessment of the humanitarian needs in the Great Lakes region of Africa, what response they are making, and what action they are taking to ensure the appropriate total response by the international community.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, since 1993 Britain has committed more than £178 million to the Great Lakes region bilaterally and through the EU. UNHCR estimates that there are about 750,000 refugees in the region, of whom 200,000 are in eastern Zaire, together with substantial numbers of internally displaced people. Access and security remain major constraints to meeting their basic human needs.

Lord Judd

My Lords, does the Minister agree that with the evidence of the fighting now in northern Uganda, the continuing civil war in Zaire, the accelerating flow of refugees into Sudan, the renewed violence in Rwanda and the continued killing in Burundi, the humanitarian and security challenges remain immense? What are the Government doing to ensure that the Security Council does not repeat its grave failures of short-termism towards the Great Lakes in the past, and that it puts all possible diplomatic and other resources into working for an overall regional political settlement; into addressing the underlying causes of these conflicts, especially the grotesque poverty; and into assisting humanitarian agencies to gain access to those at risk, both to protect and to support them?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord that the problems are immense. By appointing Mohamed Sahnoun as the special representative—he is also the special representative of the OAU to the Great Lakes region—the new Secretary General has taken an important step forward. He is working with Mrs. Ogata, and with the DHA, to ensure that access for the agencies is improved. Mrs. Ogata told me last night that that is indeed happening.

Lord Thomson of Monifieth

My Lords, in view of the agonising difficulty of finding practical ways to mitigate the tragedy in Burundi, Rwanda and the Great Lakes region, does the Minister agree that the BBC's World Service Great Lakes helpline is making a useful contribution? Is she aware that it is funded by British aid organisations, with the support of the Minister's own ODA, and that uniquely it manages to provide a service in the local languages of Kinyarwanda and Kirundi? It is the trusted way in which efforts are made to put separated children back in touch with their parents.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I am aware of the Great Lakes helpline. I am extremely grateful to the World Service for a first class example of how to try to resolve some of the tragedies caused by the division of families during war. I am obviously aware of it because we partly fund the process. It is something which can be tried in other places. I am grateful to the World Service for having started the project.

Viscount Brentford

My Lords, will my noble friend tell the House whether she sees any way ahead for separating the Interahamwe from the genuine refugees both inside Rwanda and inside the refugee areas.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, the only way that one can satisfactorily separate the Interahamwe—the Hutu rebels who left Rwanda and went to Zaire—from the innocents is to see whether they are willing to give up the arms which many of them still possess and return as normal refugees to their country of birth. The vast majority are not so willing and, as a result, will probably find themselves spending the rest of their days in Zaire. They have moved much further westwards into Zaire. Conditions are difficult, although somehow the development and aid agencies are getting through to them and access is gradually improving. But every convoy has to be negotiated. So it is a major task.

Lord Judd

My Lords, will the Minister clarify one point? In her talks with the High Commissioner for Refugees last night, was she able to indicate that we are going to give any additional support to the UNHCR in what it is trying to do for those who are trapped in Zaire?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, Mrs. Ogata did not ask me last night for additional help. We discussed the situation and what could be done politically. That is the best help that we can give at the moment. I remind the noble Lord that since 1993 we have spent £178 million in the region. That is one of the best records anywhere.

The Earl of Sandwich

My Lords, will the Minister say what response she has given to Emma Bonino who, as European Union Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner, expressed many misgivings and described the present international response as a scandal and wholly inadequate?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I have not spoken with Emma Bonino in the past week but her comments that improving access for aid convoys is a priority for us all are absolutely right. We have supported her in that respect. But it is not helpful to the situation for each commentator to inflame the situation or blow it up even more. We must get on with the job, and that is what Britain is doing.