§ Viscount Davidsonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What further assistance has been provided to alleviate the plight of the people of Somalia.
§ Baroness TrumpingtonOur total humanitarian aid for Somalia in 1992 is almost £27 million, including our share of EC aid.
It includes £15 million in response to the appeal of the International Committee of the Red Cross on 9th July. This is for the ICRC's food programme under which hot meals are provided via some 600 communal kitchens to over half a million beneficiaries. We also provided £1 million for the British Red Cross to use for their medical/health care programme in Somalia, as a national contribution towards ICRC's operations.
On 15th September my noble friend the Minister for Overseas Development anounced a further 0.5 million to support British and International NGOs and UN relief operations in Somalia. Priority is being given to providing seeds and tools, helping with transport and medical supplies, and rehabilitation services.