§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact fighting in the Ivory Coast is having on the World Food Programme's activities in the Western Sahel region. [78202]
§ Clare Short[holding answer 30 October 2002]: We have not done an independent assessment on the effect the conflict on Côte d'lvoire is having on World Food Programme (WFP) activities in the Western Sahel Region of Africa. The UN held an Emergency Regional Contingency Planning meeting in Accra from 17–18 October to discuss the situation and the likely humanitarian needs in Côte d'lvoire and neighbouring countries. We are awaiting their assessment and are continuing to monitor the situation.