HL Deb 21 May 1992 vol 537 cc46-8WA
Lord Judd

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether general assistance will be provided for reconstruction and rehabilitation in Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Namibia, Zambia, Angola and Mozambique.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The UK is providing assistance for reconstruction and rehabilitation as follows:

Angola. We are now processing proposals to rehabilitate water supplies and a bridge.

Ethiopia and Eritrea. Under the bilateral programme we are continuing to support rehabilitation projects in the natural resources sector through non-governmental organisations. We shall also be making a significant contribution to the process of reconstruction through our share of actions planned by the World Bank and the European Community. Our humanitarian aid, valued at over £53 million since January 1991 (including our share of EC assistance), also includes finance for emergency projects with a rehabilitation element.

Somalia. Our emergency aid, valued at some £10 million since January 1991 (including our share of EC assistance), includes finance for projects addressing rehabilitation needs.

Mozambique. We have long been involved in the rehabilitation of the Beira, Nacala and Limpopo Railway lines, the harbours at Maputo and Angoche, the provision of equipment to airports, and support for road and bridge maintenance. Our total commitment for these projects amounts to some £60 million. In addition, we are funding a number of small-scale rehabilitation activities being implemented by NGOs, notably Save the Children Fund's programme to replace bridges in Zambezia Province.

Namibia. The bilateral aid programme, totalling some £2.4 million in 1991–92, covers activities in a number of key sectors, including education, public administration, and the police.

Zambia. The bilateral aid programme to Zambia, totalling about £27 million in 1991–92, is focused primarily on support for the country's economic reform programme, the provision of manpower in key sectors and, most recently, help to alleviate the effects of the drought.