§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response Her Majesty's Government have made to finance emergency aid to alleviate the immediate crisis in the western Sahara; and what plans are being put into effect to provide resources to western Saharan refugees to rebuild the fabric of their society in exile in the medium and longer term.
§ Mr. BaldryThe United Kingdom contributes to the Saharawi refugees through its regular budget payments to UNHCR and the European Union. We have no plans for any direct bilateral contribution to the Polisario-run camps following their recent devastation by rain and flooding.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the damage caused by the rains and floods in the western Saharan refugee camps of southern Algeria on 8 September and 29 and 30 October; and how many refugees are without shelter.
§ Mr. BaldrySchools, hospitals and dispensaries made of compressed sand-based bricks in the camps were damaged, as were tents and food and other supplies. It is understood that the earlier wave of torrential rains left some 20,000 people without shelter; the rains at the end of October, according to UNHCR, left up to a further 30,000 people shelterless and eight died.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance will be given in the immediate future to the western Saharan refugees, to supply tents, blankets, medicines, food and fuel.
§ Mr. BaldryThe UN department of humanitarian affairs and UNHCR have provided cash for local relief purchases and have airlifted tents, blankets, plastic sheeting and electricity generators into Tindouf. A UNHCR and world food programme assessment mission has recently visited the affected area and arrangements have been made urgently to replenish destroyed food stocks.