§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's contingency planning to assist in the aftermath of natural disasters in the South Pacific region. [52052]
§ Mr. FoulkesThe Department is ready to provide assistance to poorer countries in the aftermath of natural disasters where there are clear needs and we are asked to do so. In response to the initial appeal for assistance for those affected by the tidal wave that hit Papua New Guinea, we offered up to £250,000 for immediate relief and recovery needs. Over the last year we have also provided over £1 million in relief assistance to the Pacific region.
In addition, we are keen to help disaster-prone countries to make better use of their own emergency services and skilled personnel, as they are best placed to provide effective help when disaster strikes.
In the South Pacific, since 1994 we have provided £300,000 to the United Nations for the South Pacific Disaster Reduction Programme, which aims to mitigate 128W the effect of natural disasters by building-up institutional capacity. We are currently considering further support for a new phase of the programme. We also provided nearly £60,000 to the International Red Cross last year for community-based disaster preparedness activities in the region.