HL Deb 27 February 1997 vol 578 c105WA
Lord Judd

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their latest estimate of the humanitarian needs of refugees in Zaire, including the situation in Tingi Tingi, where the United Nations estimates that 55 per cent. of the under fives may already have died; and, in view of the statement of principle last November by the Secretary of State for Defence (House of Commons, 14 November, col. 488) on the United Kingdom's responsibility to assist, what is now their policy on United Nations intervention.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) estimate they have access to 200,000 refugees in Zaire, including those in the Tingi Tingi camps. UNHCR confirm there are adequate supplies in the region to meet the refugees' basic needs. The problems are security and access.

UNHCR and other implementing agencies have agreed that humanitarian access should be negotiated and cannot be imposed. We support this view. We continue to closely monitor the situation and remain prepared to provide further help as urgent needs arise.