§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to assist Zimbabwe in response to the prolonged drought in parts of the country; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe have offered to help Zimbabwe draw up a national water sector plan and to help Bulawayo, one of the areas hit hardest by the present drought, to manage its water supplies to maximum effect. We also have commitments of some £3 million in support, both directly and through non-governmental organisations, of work which addresses needs in drought-prone areas of the country. Projects include research into dryland cropping and small-scale irrigation techniques and funding of village-level water supply and improvement schemes. Other proposals are being considered.