§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid he is giving to the World Food Programme support to the Saharan refugee camps. [179299]
§ Hilary BennDFID's assistance to the Saharawi refugees is channelled through contributions to the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO), rather than in the form of direct DFID support. DFID believes that this collaborative approach towards funding, alongside our international partners, represents the best way of addressing the problems faced by the refugees' population.
The EC is in the process of agreeing €8 million of humanitarian aid for the Saharawi refugees living in the Tindouf region for the period of 15 months from 1 June 2004. ECHO has also supported the Saharawi refugees through similar decisions in 2003 and 2002. For the period from 1 June 2004, €6.62 million has been allocated for ensuring the stability of food supplies. The World Food Programme (WFP) is a potential partner for delivery of this assistance but this has not yet been confirmed.