§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the emergencies budget and the unallocated ODA reserve for the financial year 1990–91, and the percentage of each of these that has not yet been committed.
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§ Mrs. Chalker[holding answer 29 January 1991]: Humanitarian assistance provided from the aid programme takes three forms: relief for unpredictable disasters such as earthquakes and cyclones, emergency food aid, and other non-food relief. Initial provision for this assistance is made at the beginning of each financial year. For 1990–91 the provision taken in the main estimates totalled £66.7 million, including £19 million for food aid, the first call on which is emergency needs.
The aid programme is managed in a way that allows it to respond quickly to developing country needs, including humanitarian assistance. During the course of each financial year provision for humanitarian assistance is enhanced as required, drawing on the aid programme's contingency reserve and any unplanned savings arising during the year. The provision so far this financial year totals £73.5 million, of which 1.5 per cent. remains uncommitted.
The aid programme contingency reserve for 1990–91 was £40 million, including an initial earmarking of £9 million for unpredictable disasters. The contingency reserve is now fully allocated.