§ Ms Julie MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to provide aid to Nicaragua, and other Central American countries devastated by Hurricane Mitch. [59142]
§ Clare ShortWe are responding to the immediate relief needs of the region as part of the international relief effort. This includes a contribution of £200,000 to the Red Cross Regional Appeal, approximately £60,000 to the Pan American Health Organisation for basic health care needs, £94,525 to CAFOD for food and household items and £ 100,000 to Christian Aid to supply medicines, temporary shelters, blankets and water containers for Honduras. In Nicaragua, we have channelled £32,585 through the non-governmental organisation CARE for the provision of safe water, food and clothes. We are also sending medical 139W supplies to El Salvador to meet the needs of 20,000 people for 3 months. In addition, HMS Sheffield provided immediate disaster assistance to Honduras, and RFA Sir Tristram and HMS Ocean are providing further support. We have also provided a UK expert to the United Nations Assessment and Co-ordination teams working in the region.
We have recently agreed an enlarged development programme for Central America and committed £6 million. We are currently refocusing the programme to take account of reconstruction needs.
Nicaragua and Honduras are both Heavily Indebted Poor Countries, as defined by the World Bank and IMF. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and I have called on the IMF and World Bank to look urgently at the case for special treatment in the matter of debt for countries afflicted by natural disasters which severely damage their economies. We are urging the international community to consider what exceptional debt relief measures might be appropriate in the short term for these countries.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid the UK Government are providing to victims of Hurricane Mitch; and if she will make a statement. [59255]
§ Clare ShortSince May 1997 my Department has been working to strengthen the capacity of the international system to respond very quickly to emergencies wherever they arise. In the past, uncoordinated shipments of aid and expertise often exacerbated rather than assisted such crises. The first step following Hurricane Mitch was that UN disaster assessment teams were mobilised. A British expert was made available. HMS Sheffield was in the vicinity and was helping in Belize and at the request of the local authorities was able to make available helicopters, engineers and medical support. DFID immediately contacted NGOs who were already working in the countries concerned to offer support. We have made available £200,000 to the Red Cross Regional Appeal and supplies were flown on Sunday.
In Honduras, we have contributed £60,000 to the Pan American Health organisation for basic health care needs, £94,525 to CAFOD for food and household items and a grant of £100,000 to Christian Aid to supply medicines, temporary shelters, blankets and water containers. In Nicaragua, we have channelled £32,585 through the NGO CARE for the provision of safe water, food and clothes. We are also sending medical supplies to El Salvador to meet the needs of 20,000 for three months. HMS Ocean and RFA Sir Tristram are also in the area and, at local request, are providing search and rescue and reconnaissance service.
We have recently agreed an enlarged development programme for Central America and committed £6 million. We are currently refocusing the programme to take account of reconstruction needs.
140WWe must ensure that the reconstruction effort focuses on reducing vulnerability, for example by flood protection and through the appropriate location of new housing. It will also be necessary to strengthen local and regional capacity to respond more effectively when disaster strikes. We have recently agreed a major programme with the International Red Cross to strengthen such capacity in all developing countries.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid has been requested by the Nicaraguan Government from the UK to help the victims of Hurricane Mitch. [59256]
§ Clare ShortThe Nicaraguan Government have requested international assistance to provide food, medicines, tents and construction materials to cope with the aftermath of the disaster. Our contributions so far have been channelled through the Red Cross and the non-governmental organisation CARE.
We continue to monitor the situation in Nicaragua closely through the United Nations, the Red Cross and our Embassy and we are in close contact with British non-governmental organisations about support to their relief activities. Beyond the immediate response to the emergency, we are considering how we can best use our recently enlarged assistance programme to help with reconstruction.
Nicaragua, is a heavily Indebted Poor Country, as defined by the World Bank and IMF. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and I have called on the IMF and World Bank to look closely, as part of the work they already have in hand on post-conflict debt relief, at the case for special treatment in the matter of debt for countries afflicted by natural disasters which severely damage their economies. We are urging the international community to consider what exceptional debt relief measures might be appropriate in the short term for these countries.