§ The Earl of Sandwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
What response they have made through the United Nations and other channels to the acute food shortages in western Afghanistan and to the needs of displaced people around Herat. [HL1625]
§ Baroness AmosDfID has provided almost £5 million of humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan in response to the effects of the severe drought, which is affecting the whole of the country. This support has been channelled through the World Food Programme and NGOs for emergency food assistance, through other UN agencies for emergency shelter and urgently164WA needed relief supplies and through the Red Cross for emergency seed distribution. Displaced people around the city of Herat and in surrounding districts are among those Afghans specifically targeted for assistance.
§ The Earl of Sandwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether increased sanctions against Afghanistan could have an adverse effect on humanitarian aid and on the Afghan people. [HL1626]
§ Baroness AmosThe UK worked hard to influence the design of the additional UN sanctions against the Taliban in such a way as to ensure that the impact on ordinary Afghans is minimised. The UN recently published a report on the humanitarian impact of the additional sanctions, which came into effect on 19 January 2001. The report concludes that the humanitarian situation has not been noticeably and additionally affected by the imposition of the new sanctions. We will continue to monitor the situation carefully, bearing in mind that any direct and indirect negative impact of the sanctions may take some time to come to light.
§ The Earl of Sandwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they agree with the Government of Pakistan that it is safe for refugees to return, or whether they will provide further assistance to camps in Pakistan, including those which receive new refugees. [HL1627]
§ Baroness AmosThe UK Government are concerned that Afghanistan's economy and infrastructure are not yet ready to support large numbers of returnees. We are continuing to provide assistance to Afghan refugees as a core part of our humanitarian assistance programme for Afghans. DfID is providing support through UN agencies and NGOs to address the health, education and emergency food needs of Afghan refugees in both Pakistan and Iran. This includes assistance to camps that have received new arrivals.