§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid was given to Yemen in each of the last five years; and what plans he has to increase such aid. [R] [173746]
§ Hilary BennTotal aid from all donors to Yemen in each of the last five years for which OECD DAC figures are available was:
$ million Amount 1998 370 1999 458 2000 265 2001 461 2002 584 DFID has provided the following aid to Yemen in each of the last five financial years:
£ million Financial year Amount 1999–2000 1.49 2000–01 2.73 2001–02 2.58 2002–03 5.44 2003–04 16.55 1 Estimate The amount for 2000–01 includes a one off payment of £1.52 million for pensions, and for 2002–03 a one off payment of £3.16 million for Paris Club debt relief.
DFID's share of European Community (EC) spending in Yemen from 1997–2001 was around £7 million; we have also contributed through the World Bank and the United Nations (UN).
The aid framework for DFID's programme in Yemen is increasing to £5.9 million for 2004–05 and £9.9 million for 2005–06. I will be considering allocations for future years in the light of the Government's Spending Review later this year, and progress with the Yemeni Government's use of our existing aid. The UK is also arguing for an increase in EC spending in Yemen, as the only low income country in the region.