§ Lord Trefgarneasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they intend to respond to the UN Secretary-General's appeal for assistance in Afghanistan.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe Government will make an immediate pledge of £7.55 million. This sum will be allocated as follows:
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees: £4 million, to support its programme of assistance to the refugees who are now returning in large numbers.
International Committee of the Red Cross: £1 million, of which £0.5 million has already been provided earlier this year.
United Nations Office of the Co-ordinator for Afghanistan: £0.5 million, for mine clearance.
Afghanaid a British NGO: £1.6 million, for reconstruction and development work, £0.9 million of which has already been provided.
Other NGOs: £0.45 million.
Britain has provided nearly £80 million humanitarian aid since 1980 to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people. We shall continue to monitor needs closely and play our part in Afghanistan's reconstruction.