§ Sir Alastair GoodladTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what requests she has received since 1 January for assistance in Afghanistan; and if she will make a statement. [32087]
§ Clare ShortThe Department for International Development (DFID) has received the 1998 United Nations Consolidated Appeal for Afghanistan. This includes assistance to UN organisations and non governmental organisations and amounts to $157,308,144 (approximately £98 million). DFID has responded by providing £2 million for demining and mines awareness training, £1.9 million for support services (e.g. aircraft and communication) and strengthening co-ordination. A sum of £500,000 has been provided for the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for food security.
We have also received a request for a contribution to an appeal from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for Afghanistan which amounts to Sfr 128,487,564 (approximately £53 million). We have responded with a contribution of £2 million for protection and medical relief services.
In addition we have also committed a total of £1 million bilaterally to various NGOs working in areas such as child protection, education and relief services. Additionally DFID provided a sum of $300,000 (approximately £187,000) to the United Nations in February 1998 to assist the victims of the recent earthquake in northern Afghanistan.