§ 27. Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's humanitarian work in Kosovo. [62771]
§ Clare ShortWe have worked closely with international organisations, such as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to ensure that the humanitarian needs of those affected by the conflict in Kosovo are met. We have so far provided £3 million for this purpose.
A Department for International Development mission visited the Former Republic of Yugoslavia and Albania between 16–26 November to assess conditions on the ground and the state of aid co-ordination. A humanitarian disaster has been averted, but the situation remains serious and must be monitored carefully. The internally displaced persons who were living out of doors are now back under shelter. The international response is generally adequate to meet current emergency needs of displaced people and refugees for food, blankets, stoves, mattresses and fuels. It is vital that this current level of humanitarian operations be maintained.