Iraq (Hansard, 14 February 2003)

§ Dr. Tonge
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what financial resources have been allocated for the establishment of safe havens in Iraq in the event of war; [97484]
(2) what financial resources have been allocated for the provision of clean water to Iraqi refugees in (a) Turkey, (b) Syria, (c) Jordan, (d) Saudi Arabia, (e) Kuwait and (f) Iran and their borders with Iraq in the event of war; [97492]
(3) what financial resources have been allocated for the provision of shelter for Iraqi civilian refugees in (a) Turkey, (b) Syria, (c) Jordan, (d) Saudi Arabia, (e) Kuwait and (f) Iran, and their borders with Iraq, in the event of war. [97536]

§ Clare Short
My Department does not pre-allocate financial resources for response to humanitarian crises before they happen. DFID provides a contingency reserve of £100 million which we will draw on for the Iraqi emergency.
4W
DFID's funding for the UN and other humanitarian agencies includes provision for emergency preparedness for a variety of contingencies across the world. We are supplementing this funding with an additional £3.5 million contribution to support UN humanitarian contingency planning for Iraq, including the prepositioning of basic supplies by UN agencies including UNHCR. We also fund a programme of assistance to Iraqi Refugees in Iran, which is managed by AMAR Appeal, an NGO, and consists of the provision of emergency supplies and primary health care for refugees living both in and outside of official camps.

§ Mr. Pike
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what discussions she has had with Save the Children regarding research they have carried out on the impact of any impending war against Iraq on Iraqi children; and if she will make a statement; [97603]
(2) what discussions she has had to help ensure that Iraqi people receive aid in terms of food, water, clothing and accommodation in the event of a war against Iraq; and if she will make a statement; [97605]
(3) what discussions she has had with aid organisations regarding the possible impact of a war against Iraq on existing food aid deliveries; and if she will make a statement. [97602]

§ Clare Short
The Iraqi people, including the children who make up half of the population, are already vulnerable. The prevalence of low birth-weight babies has increased more than five times in the last 10 years. A sudden disruption to this already fragile situation, including to the UN Oil for Food programme on which 60 per cent. of Iraqi people are dependent, could lead to a spiralling human catastrophe.
My Department is holding regular discussions with the Ministry of Defence, the US, UN and others about ways to minimise the suffering of the Iraqi people. One key priority would be to re-establish the Oil For Food distribution network as quickly as possible if it is disrupted. We are also providing an additional £3.5 million funding for support to UN humanitarian contingency planning for Iraq, including the prepositioning of food and other essential supplies. My officials continue to discuss the humanitarian situation with NGOs, especially those who we are funding for ongoing humanitarian work in Iraq, including Save the Children.

§ Mr. Pike
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the United Nations regarding their estimates of the number of(a) children under five at risk of death, (b) mothers and children needing food and (c) people needing shelter in the event of a war in Iraq; and if she will make a statement. [97604]

§ Clare Short
My Department holds regular discussions with UN agencies about the humanitarian situation in Iraq and measures to respond to any crisis. United Nations planning estimates of the numbers who may be affected vary according to different scenarios of the extent and length of disruption to existing systems.
5W

§ Mr. Redwood
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what extra money is being made available for helping Iraq after possible military intervention. [97847]

§ Clare Short
DFID provides a contingency reserve of £100 million which we will draw on for the Iraqi emergency.