Iraq (Hansard, 24 February 2003)

§ Mr. Laxton
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what preparations are being made to(a) monitor the humanitarian impact of military action in Iraq and (b) provide the appropriate humanitarian assistance. [98600]

§ Clare Short
My Department is holding regular discussions with the Ministry of Defence, UN agencies and other humanitarian actors about contingency planning for a range of eventualities in Iraq.
In the event of military action, a key priority for the Government would be to minimise the suffering of the Iraqi people, who are already very vulnerable. This would include: provision of immediate humanitarian assistance by those best placed to do so; and reestablishment of the UN Oil For Food Programme distribution network. DFID is providing an additional £3.5 million contribution to support UN humanitarian contingency planning for Iraq, including the prepositioning of basic supplies, through funding to UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, WHO, OCHA and UNSECOORD.

§ Mr. Laxton
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what additional funds have been allocated for humanitarian relief to accompany any military action in Iraq. [98601]

§ Clare Short
DFID has a contingency reserve of £100 million which we will draw on for any emergency situation in Iraq.

§ Norman Lamb
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what steps have been taken to monitor the humanitarian situation in Iraq in the event of military action; [98880]
(2) what analysis has been conducted as to likely humanitarian needs in the event of military action in Iraq. [98882]

§ Clare Short
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend for Derby, North (Mr. Laxton) (to PQ 98600) earlier today.

§ Norman Lamb
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what additional funds have been allocated to address the need for humanitarian relief in Iraq following military action. [98881]

§ Clare Short
DFID has a contingency reserve of £100 million, which we will draw on for any emergency situation in Iraq.

§ Mr. Lazarowicz
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contingency plans she has made to provide assistance to the people of Iraq in the event of military action being taken against that country. [98954]
276W

§ Clare Short
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend for Derby, North (Mr Laxton) (to PQ 98600) earlier today.