§ Sir Alastair GoodladTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid programmes her Department is currently supporting in Afghanistan and at what cost; and what was the comparable figure for 1997–98. [42258]
§ Clare ShortIn March 1998, the Department for International Development (DFID) announced a £7.5 million humanitarian aid package for Afghanistan. This assistance will be disbursed over the 1997–98 and 1998–99 financial years as follows
£2 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for medical relief;£4.4 million in response to the UN consolidated appeal for Afghanistan:£2 million for demining£1.9 million to help international agencies function in Afghanistan; support for strengthening co-ordination between aid agencies and for communications, logistics and aircraft to deliver essential supplies and personnel£500,000 for UN Food and Agriculture Organisation for improving livestock production;£1.1 million to non governmental organisations for education, health water and sanitation project.We do not yet have the final figures for expenditure during 1997–98; however, the expected outturn will be approximately £8 million.