Irian Jaya (Hansard, 18 December 1997)

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will raise the situation of the population of Irian Jaya with the Indonesian authorities with particular reference to problems relating to food distribution on the Island. [21422]

§ Mr. Foulkes
The Indonesian authorities are aware of the international concern regarding the situation in Irian Jaya. Indonesian NGOs such as Indonesian Red Cross and Caritas Indonesia are actively participating in the relief288W process. The international donor community is also committed to alleviating the desperate plight of those affected, including improvements to the food distribution process.

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which non-governmental aid organisations have notified her Department that they are working in Irian Jaya. [21423]

§ Mr. Foulkes
We have been notified by World Vision, International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations Department for Humanitarian Affairs (UNDHA) of their activities in Irian Jaya. From the regular reports that we receive from UNDHA we are aware that Care International, Caritas Indonesia, Indonesian Red Cross, UNICEF and UNDP are also active in the area.

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to assist the population of Irian Jaya. [21421]

§ Mr. Foulkes
We have been monitoring the situation closely through out Embassy in Jakarta and the United Nations Department for Humanitarian Affairs (UNDHA) in Geneva. We have provided UNHDA with US$90,000 towards the immediate relief needs of those affected. We have also contributed £75,000 to International Red Cross Committee's appeal for support to (i) assess the nutritional status of the Irianese and assisting with relief aid, (ii) evaluate hygiene conditions and improving access to safe drinking water through water and sanitation programmes and (iii) provide medical assistance. We are also expecting a proposal from World Vision, a well respected non-government organisation, which we are prepared to consider favourably.