§ 47. Mr. Grocottasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will raise with the United Nations the plight of refugees from the Ogaden war now resident in Somalia.
§ Mr. RowlandsThe United Nations are already engaged in the matter through the operation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees who initiated action early this year to provide assistance for refugees from the conflict in the Ogaden. The British Government have been in close touch with the United Nations High Commission and early this year made an immediate donation of relief supplies for refugees in Somalia to the value of £60,000 in response to an620W urgent appeal from the United Nations High Commissioner. This was followed by donations by the British Government of £750,000 in response to a subsequent United Nations High Commission for Refugees' international appeal for relief work in Somalia, Ethiopia and Jibuti, and £250,000 in response to similar appeals from the International Committee of the Red Cross. The British Government have also provided £50,000 to meet transport costs for material relief provided by British voluntary agencies.