§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional assistance he is providing to alleviate the plight of those affected by the recent outbreak of fighting around Kabul, Afghanistan.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydMy right hon. and noble Friend, the Minister for Overseas Development has approved a further package of assistance for Afghanistan amounting to £2.5 million. This is in addition to a total pledge of £7.5 million earlier this financial year. The new money will be provided (a) to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees —£1 million—for the urgent needs of the newly displaced for shelter materials etc.; (b) to the International Committee of the Red Cross—£500,000—for the maintenance of hospital supplies and convoys to Kabul; (c) to UNICEF—£500,000—for work on water supplies and sanitation in camps and (d) to various United Kingdom non-governmental organisations—£500,000— for a variety of projects also in the camps, providing basic assistance, for example blankets, tents, shelter materials and cooking sets.