§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on how the operation to clear Afghanistan of unexploded ordnance is being funded. [50087]
§ Clare ShortThe United Nations Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan (MAPA) is leading on humanitarian mine action and unexploded ordnance (UXO) interventions in Afghanistan. The current humanitarian situation and the challenges ahead, including for mine and UXO action, are set out in the Immediate and Transitional Assistance Programme for the Afghan People (ITAP), prepared by the UN and agreed with the Afghan Interim Administration (ALA) for the period to the 431W end of December 2002. So far 53 per cent. of the £33 million requirements for mine/UXO action in the ITAP have been met by the international community.
In response to the ITAP, DFID has to date allocated £3 million through the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) for the MAPA programme in Afghanistan.
§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what education on the dangers of unexploded ordnance is being provided to people living in areas of Afghanistan which are affected by the problem. [50086]
§ Clare ShortIn March this year the Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan initiated mine awareness coordination meetings and workshops to ensure that mine awareness operations are fully integrated into the humanitarian response throughout the country.
The Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan is producing mine risk education (MRE) training, which covers UXO, to brief national education focal points including Ministry of Education officials, heads of schools and provincial education representatives to prepare for the integration of MRE in regular school curriculum. All returning refugees from Pakistan and Iran will receive MRA training.
According to UNMAS, all mine risk education messages have been updated to include the threat of new unexploded ordnance (UXO).
§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the number of civilian victims of unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan since 11 September 2001. [50084]
§ Clare ShortWe have requested this information from the International Committee of the Red Cross. I will write to the hon. Gentleman with details once this information has been received.
§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress being made in clearing unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan. [50083]
§ Clare ShortThe United Nations Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan (MAPA) is currently completing a period of retraining and is resuming operations wherever possible. In most regions mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance operations have returned to their pre-September 2001 capacity. In addition, the process of expanding capacity to address the UXO threat is under way. The UN priorities for 2002 are the execution of emergency operations throughout the country and a subsequent return to 100 per cent. operational capacity, and to continue to expand mine clearance capacity as resources become available.
§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the accuracy of the information on the geographical locations of unexploded ordnance being provided to clearance experts in Afghanistan. [50085]
§ Clare ShortThe United Nations Mine Action (UNMAS) has been notified by coalition forces of 188 sites where cluster bombs were used. UNMAS is currently undertaking a programme of visits to high priority areas to determine the accuracy of information being provided.