§ The Earl of Sandwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
What support they have given to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon during the last two financial years; through whom; and in what form. [HL2102]
§ Baroness AmosThe UK provides assistance to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon primarily through its voluntary contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency's (UNRWA) general fund, a share of which is devoted to maintaining 12 camps in Lebanon and in providing health and education services to the refugees. UNRWA also supports similar programmes in Syria, Jordan and the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The UK is a major contributor to the general fund, providing £12,607 million in 1999–2000 and £9,650 million in 2000–01.
In addition, funds are made available through DfID's Small Grants Scheme. These amounted to £34,553 in 1999–2000 and £48,150 in 2000–01. In the past three years, 10 different projects, including vocational training, strengthening of the health sector and support to disabled youth oriented programmes, have been supported.