§ Mr. Ian TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements his Department is making to send out to Turkey and Iran British volunteer medical teams.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe are sending out early on 6 May, 90 medical and other volunteer relief workers to help Iraqi refugees on the mountains in the Cukurca region of Turkey and as they move back to their homes in Iraq. These initial teams will be under the direct supervision of the ODA's humanitarian aid co-ordinator, and will work in close co-ordination with British and allied forces in Turkey and Iraq. The operation is being co-financed with the European Community, as part of the Community's emergency aid programme announced on 8 April.
The Iranian authorities have not requested medical volunteers. We are however financing the provision of two field health centres in West Azerbaijan province.