§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What analysis they have made of the costs of humanitarian relief operations and their protection in crises resulting from internal conflict within nation states; and what conclusions they have drawn for their future policy towards the role of the United Nations in conflict resolution, pre-emptive planning and peacekeeping, particularly where issues of sovereignty are involved.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyWe monitor costs on an ongoing basis for each humanitarian operation in which the United Kingdom is involved. Provision of humanitarian relief is a primary function of the UN. The United Nations efforts to prevent or contain conflicts have obvious cost benefits in provision of humanitarian relief. We and other member states are looking at ways in which the United Nations capacity for peacekeeping and preventive diplomacy can be improved. The United Nations humanitarian operations aim to alleviate suffering whether caused by conflict within states or between states.