§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British non-governmental organisations have, over the last five years, been working in Pakistan and elsewhere in support of refugees and displaced persons from Afghanistan; what funding each has received in each year; and what funding each is to receive over the next two years. [21150]
§ Mr. BaldryWe have provided assistance to the British non-governmental organisations as detailed in the table over the last five years for their work with Afghan refugees and displaced persons. We are unable to predict how much funding may be made available to any organisation for emergency aid over the next two years.
£000s 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 Afghanaid1 800 700 1,307 599 787 CAFOD 0 20 29 19 18 Ockenden Venture 0 50 0 0 0 SGAA 14 0 0 0 0 Save the Children 50 110 0 0 0 1 Includes rehabilitation work. In addition the following three British non-governmental organisations received grants for immediate disaster response work. Figures are available for 1993 and 1994 only.
£000s 1993 1994 CARE 0 828 Ockenden Venture 0 47 Oxfam 110 323
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to Her Majesty's Government directly and indirectly through international organisations to invest in infrastructure development in Afghanistan; what is the total amount agreed by Her Majesty's Government to be spent in such development projects over the next three 639W years; and what assessment has been made of the need for development investment in Afghanistan to facilitate the return of refugees to that country. [21151]
§ Mr. BaldryFrequent discussions on the needs of Afghanistan are held with international development agencies, the Government of Pakistan and UK non-governmental organisations.
We take the view that long-term infrastructure and development programmes are only possible when the political and security situation is stable. At present, the main focus of our assistance for Afghanistan will remain emergency aid and refugee relief and resettlement programmes. We give funding through international agencies and UK NGOs, some of which operate small rehabilitation projects in the more peaceful parts of the country.
We understand that the United Nations development programme have plans for a meeting to discuss with the international community the prospects for a transition from humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan to longer term rehabilitation.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding financial inducements to Afghan refugees and displaced persons in Pakistan and elsewhere to assist their return to Afghanistan; and what contribution Her Majesty's Government have agreed to make to such programmes over the next two years. [21152]
§ Mr. BaldryUNHCR provides repatriation grants to assist the return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran. We support UNHCR's work with Afghan refugees, both politically and financially. Whilst we do not earmark funds given to UNHCR specifically for repatriation grants, such use is not excluded. We are unable to make advance commitments about the use of emergency aid funds.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made by the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees on the likely implications of closing schools located in Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [21167]
§ Mr. BaldryUNHCR have no plans to cease primary education for all Afghan refugee children in Pakistan.