§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has received on the nature of humanitarian relief in the Great Lakes region. [25445]
§ Clare ShortWe expect to receive the UN 1998 Great Lakes humanitarian appeal in February. We have provided over £69 million emergency assistance to the region since October 1993, but 640,00 refugees and 875,00 displaced people remain to be helped. Those in Burundi and north west Rwanda are difficult to reach because of the security situation. We remain ready to respond to new emergency needs as they emerge.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has received on the nature of development in the Great Lakes region. [25446]
§ Clare ShortThe development needs of the region are enormous. A major international effort is needed to assist the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to implement sustainable development policies which benefit the poor. Britain has not traditionally been a major bilateral donor to the region. But we are working with the International Financial Institutions and the European Commission to whom we are major contributors to try to deliver effective assistance. The EC has already committed £149 million (UK share £10 million) to the region in rehabilitation assistance since November 1994. Further funding is available from the European Development Fund.