§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans are in place to ensure early access for UN agencies and international aid agencies into Basra. [107940]
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§ Clare ShortThe International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) are already operating in Basra.
Most humanitarian agencies require a permissive security environment before they can operate in Iraq. The Office of the UN Security Co-ordinator (UNSECOORD) provides security advice to the UN humanitarian agencies. Security updates are also being provided through the Humanitarian Operations Centre in Kuwait. NGOs are being issued passes to cross the Kuwait/Iraq border by the Humanitarian Operations Centre in Kuwait. Once the situation allows, NGOs will need to undertake their own security assessments before engaging.
The military are discharging their humanitarian obligations under the Geneva and Hague conventions in order to provide relief in the interim in the territory they occupy. The military fully appreciates the need to hand over to humanitarian agencies as soon as the situation allows.
§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Treasury on reimbursement of sums drawn from DFID's contingency reserve for Iraq this year. [107941]
§ Clare ShortI have allocated £75 million of DFID's contingency reserve to humanitarian assistance in Iraq. On 27 March the Chancellor of the Exchequer allocated £120 million from HM Treasury's central reserve to DFID for its work in Iraq and set aside an extra £60 million on 9 April for DFID to apply to draw on if it is needed.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information her Department has received regarding an outbreak of diarrhoea in Basra. [108039]
§ Clare ShortMy Department is not aware of an outbreak of diarrhoea in Basra. We are aware of a report on 4 April from a health worker in nearby Urn Kail of increased incidences of diarrhoea.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with Stevedoring USA on the running of the port Umm Qasr. [108040]
§ Clare ShortMy Department has had no discussions with Stevedoring Services of America.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with the World Food Programme regarding the mass distribution of food in Northern Iraq. [108041]
§ Clare ShortThe World Food Programme (WFP) reports that food stocks have been diminishing in northern Iraq but has recently delivered 850 tonnes of wheat flour to Northern Iraq from Turkey. This is the first part of an initial 6,000 metric tonne consignment expected to be delivered in the coming days. They intend to use these stocks to replenish the Oil for Food Programme distribution system, which has to a greater or lesser extent remained operational in Northern Iraq.
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§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with international aid agencies to undertake urgent humanitarian relief work in Northern Iraq. [108042]
§ Clare ShortMy Department has regular discussions with international aid agencies and NGOs on the humanitarian situation in northern Iraq.
Within the last week, we have received the following reports of humanitarian assistance being provided within northern Iraq. The World Food Programme have been able to deliver 850 tonnes of wheat flour to northern Iraq from Turkey, which is the first part of an initial 6000 metric tonne consignment expected to be delivered in the coming days. Twelve further UNICEF trucks are also en route to the north. The World Health Organisation is supporting local health providers to assess disease outbreaks. The Mines Action Group (MAG) is undertaking mine clearance. Save the Children Fund UK are providing food and non-food items to internally displaced people sites. HelpAge international is continuing to assist vulnerable, elderly populations.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment her Department has made of the situation of the poorest families in Northern Iraq. [108043]
§ Clare ShortReports from UN agencies indicate that a total of approx 260,000 people have been newly displaced in northern Iraq since the onset of the current crisis, though some have returned to their homes. Approximately 90 per cent. of these are staying with families or friends. The needs of the remainder are being met by local authorities and humanitarian agencies. The World Food Programme (WFP) reports that food stocks have been diminishing in northern Iraq.
Detailed needs assessments will be carried out once there is a permissive security environment.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many tonnes of food have been imported into Iraq via Umm Qasr. [108044]
§ Clare ShortThe Royal Navy ships the Sir Galahad and the Sir Percivale have delivered some 600 tonnes of humanitarian aid into Umm Qasr, and UK forces are working to ensure that the port can be opened to commercial shipping as soon as possible. This will allow merchant ships carrying Oil for Food Programme stores and other supplies to enter the port.
In addition, NGOs working from Kuwait are transporting large quantities of aid overland to Umm Qasr, for onward distribution in southern Iraq.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development which aid agencies have refused to accept funding for their work in Iraq. [108050]
§ Clare ShortThe British Overseas Aid Group (BOAG) has announced that Oxfam, Christian Aid, Action Aid and Cafod will not accept funds from the UK government for their work in Iraq.
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§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the operation of the Oil for Food programme. [107939]
§ Clare ShortOn 28 March the UN Security Council unanimously approved resolution 1472 giving the Secretary General authority to adapt the Oil for Food Programme (OFF) to changed circumstances so that it could continue to operate. While the UN, Red Cross and NGOs can provide assistance to cover a short gap in the OFF, with 16 million Iraqis totally dependant on the Programme and most families partially dependent, it is essential that the OFF fully resumes as soon as possible. The World Food Programme (WFP) concluded contracts last week to buy a further 400,000 metric tonnes of food aid for Iraq, which they intend to use to replenish the OFF distribution system. But they will only reach people if we can keep the distribution system in place. This means helping Iraqis keep 55,000 separate outlets across the country operating. The WFP is taking a lead in monitoring and supporting the distribution network.