§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the speed of the disaster relief response to events in Kosovo; and if she will make a statement. [80786]
§ Clare ShortThe international response to the massive refugee outflows was regrettably slow to start with. But the international community has mobilised substantial humanitarian assistance for the refugees in a remarkably short time. The UK has been at the forefront of efforts to speed up the relief operations, notably by providing logistical and other practical support (through airlifts, cargo handling equipment, transport assets, and logistics experts) to overcome practical constraints in assistance delivery.