HC Deb 27 March 1991 vol 188 c447W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what immediate assistance is being offered by his Department to(a) Kuwait and (b) Iraq to combat the outbreak of infections arising from the damage done to water purification systems in the Gulf war.

Mr. Dorrell

The International Committee of the Red Cross sanitation teams are helping to restore the distribution of purified water in Iraq. On 14 March 1991 their first two water purification units began producing potable water in Baghdad. The United Kingdom supports the International Committee of the Red Cross work and has contributed £2.5 million to its Gulf appeal. The Government of Kuwait have made arrangements for the supply of purified water to the population in Kuwait. The United Kingdom Government have also contributed US$1 million to the United Nations and agencies through the United Nations Disaster Relief Organisation for their work in both these countries. We will be offering full collaboration to the United Nations and agencies for the supply of foodstuffs and medical supplies.

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