§ Dr. Jenny TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department has taken since the seminar on education in Sudan on 29 July held by her Department; and if she will make a statement. [82234]
§ Clare ShortSince the seminar, my Department has given £316,000 to UNICEF for education in the Nuba Mountains cease-fire area. This is proceeding well: 600 school kits have already been delivered and more are on the way; rehabilitation of school buildings has also started. We are also supporting a range of scholarship programmes particularly targeting women and students from conflict-affected areas. My Senior Education Adviser visited north and south Sudan in October to review this work and to discuss plans to rehabilitate the education system in Sudan. We continue to plan for what we hope will be a comprehensive peace in the New Year.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to combat the epidemics of kala azar and guinea worm in southern Sudan. [82238]
§ Clare ShortSo far in 2002 we have provided a total of 743,048 to Medecins sans Frontieres for three urgent health care projects in southern Sudan, which include the treatment of people suffering from the recent outbreak of Kala Azar (also known as visceral leishmanaisis).
We are not presently funding any projects dealing with Guinea Worm in Sudan as this need is being met by other organisations, such as the Carter Centre. However, should the situation worsen, we would consider providing support.