§ 18. Mr. CarmichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Malawi. [84704]
§ Clare ShortA recent assessment concluded that 2.2 million people in Malawi are currently in need of food assistance, and this will rise to 3.25 million—a third of the population—between January and March 2003. Another assessment is now under way. It is also considering the extent to which AIDS and income poverty have contributed to the crisis. The results should be available by 30 December.
My Department is playing a leading role in partnership with the Government of Malawi and other donors, in dealing with the crisis. Since November 2001 DFID has provided £30 million emergency assistance to Malawi.