§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what response she has made to the request for international food aid issued(a) by Niger in November and (b) by Burkina Faso in December. [24349]
§ Clare ShortUK assistance to these countries is provided mainly through the EU. We are in close touch with the European Commission about their plans.
§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations the Government have received from(a) NGOs and (b) UK officials in Burkina Faso and Niger about the impending food shortages in these countries. [24350]
§ Clare ShortWe have received an official representation from one NGO on this issue. Our Embassy in Abidjan, which is accredited to Niger and Burkina Faso, has recently received a request from the Nigerien authorities for assistance which is now being considered.