HC Deb 17 May 1985 vol 79 c233W
Sir Patrick Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aid has now reached Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia and in the Sudan.

Mr. Rifkind

Only a very small proportion of the emergency assistance that Britain and other donors are providing for victims of the famine in Ethiopia has been directed specifically to Eritrea. The Ethiopian Government have estimated that 12,500 tonnes of grain are needed in Eritrea each month. We understand that much less than this is being delivered, and we support the efforts of the UN Co-ordinator to improve the distribution of relief supplies to Eritrea. In recent months we have provided about £4 million to victims of the famine in Ethiopia who have sought refuge in east Sudan, including those from Eritrea.