§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to assist non-governmental organisations in their efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to(a) Northern Somalia and (b) Mogadishu and other areas of the south.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe are providing humanitarian assistance to Somalia through United Nations and voluntary agencies. This calendar year we have committed a total of £3.47 million bilateral emergency aid to Somalia including £1.46 million for the north. Recent grants include £300,000 for an essential mine-clearing project in northern Somalia and £50,000 for emergency medical supplies for Mogadishu. We contribute towards the operational costs of non-governmental organisations' relief activities in both north and south Somalia.