§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of sex education, with particular reference to education about AIDS/HIV, for young people in Swaziland. [90410]
§ Clare ShortMy Department believes that improved education about HIV/AIDS is a vital part in the effort to combat the epidemic. The Southern Africa Soul City Programme, which my Department is supporting, aims to educate young people through out-reach programmes that deal with de-stigmatisation, raising HIV/AIDS awareness and promoting behavioural change.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) how much money her Department gave towards AIDS/HIV programmes in Swaziland in(a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002; [90014]
(2) how much money her Department is giving towards AIDS/HIV programmes in Swaziland this year; and how the programmes will be delivered. [90013]
§ Clare ShortMy Department currently supports the HIV/AIDS response in Swaziland through three technical assistance programmes covering the Southern Africa region: the SADC Regional HIV/AIDS programme that supports activities in Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland; the Central and Southern Africa HIV/AIDS programme that focuses on strengthening the response of multilateral organisations; and the Southern Africa Soul City Programme that uses mass media to promote awareness of HIV/AIDS. Our financial year expenditure through regional HIV/AIDS programmes has been:
£ 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 831,527 761,134 851,565 It is not possible to specify the proportion of this which has been spent in Swaziland.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with NGOs on the food shortage in Swaziland; and if she will make a statement. [90015]
§ Clare ShortMy Department has conducted two humanitarian assessment missions to Swaziland in the last three months. On both missions, local and international NGOs were consulted. The current humanitarian crisis in Swaziland is serious, and my Department is providing support through The World Food Programme.
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§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with King Mswati of Swaziland on(a) the provision of antivirus drugs and (b) the food shortage in that country, and if she will make a statement. [90016]
§ Clare ShortI have not had any discussions with King Mswati of Swaziland on(a) the provision of antiviral drugs or on (b) the food shortages, but my Department and the British High Commission is in regular touch with the Government of Swaziland.
Swaziland has benefited from our support to the World Food programme's regional humanitarian programmes covering also Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, and Angola.