§ Mr. TrendTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the United Kingdom will respond to the United Nations Secretary-General's appeal for assistance to Afghanistan.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Government will make an immediate pledge of £7.55 million. This sum will be allocated as follows
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, £4 million, to support its programme of assistance to the refugees who are now returning in large numbers.International Committee of the Red Cross, £1 million, of which £0.5 million has already been provided earlier this year.United Nations Office of the Co-ordinator for Afghanistan, £0.5 million, for mine clearance.Afghanaid, a British non-governmental organisation, 1.6 million, for reconstruction and development work, £0.9 million of which has already been provided.Other NGOs, £0.45 million.
Britain has provided nearly £80 million humanitarian aid since 1980 to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan peoples. We shall continue to monitor needs closely and play our part in Afghanistan's reconstruction.