HC Deb 19 May 2003 vol 405 cc518-9W
Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Minister of State for International Development whether the Department for International Development has formed a medium-term economic plan for Iraq. [113395]

Hilary Benn

DFID does not produce medium-term economic plans for any country. These are drafted by national authorities, sometimes with advice from the International Financial Institutions.

World Bank and International Monetary Fund economic and social needs assessments for Iraq will begin in the coming weeks. Our engagement will reflect the needs highlighted in these assessments.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Minister of State for International Development(1)if he will make a statement on the delivery of EU aid to Iraq; [113540]

(2) what the cash value of the EU aid delivered to Iraq since the start of the conflict in the Gulf is. [113478]

Hilary Benn

To date EU member states and the European Commission have pledged a total of €730 million (€276 million of which is already committed) for humanitarian aid operations in Iraq. The European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) has a team in Baghdad and expects to open an office by the end of May.

DFID has committed £115 million to support work by humanitarian agencies in the current crisis and has set aside a further £95 million to support emerging humanitarian needs.

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