§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what response she will make to the 2002 consolidated appeal by the United Nations for(a) Eritrea, (b) Burundi and (c) Uganda. [84948]
§ Clare ShortThe UK does not usually intervene directly to address humanitarian crises, but contributes funding to specialist organisations. These contributions are made through responses to the United Nations Consolidated Appeals, to appeals by the International Committee of the Red Cross and from international relief agencies.
We contributed £1,350,000, £850,000, and £611,000 for humanitarian work in Eritrea, Burundi and Uganda respectively, in 2002. The 2003 appeals have now been issued and we are giving consideration to our response. Actual support in 2003 will depend on the level of humanitarian needs.
Additional funding is provided through core support to international organisations including the UN, and through the European Commission. Nearly 20 per cent, of EC funding is paid for by DFID contributions.