§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What studies they have made of the impact of sanctions on children in Burundi; what their conclusions are; and what action they are consequently promoting. [HL3332]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanHer Majesty's Government are sympathetic to the plight of the most vulnerable sections of Burundi society, particularly women and children, many of whom are directly affected by the sanctions. We have pressed for the exemptions covering humanitarian supplies to be fully implemented.
Under the UK Presidency, the EU underlined its hope that there will soon be sufficient progress at the Burundi peace talks for regional states to re-examine the sanctions issue.
Her Majesty's Government have not carried out studies on the impact of sanctions on children in Burundi. But the United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations that we support have based their applications for funding on detailed needs assessments and studies. We have provided £5 million for bilateral humanitarian assistance programmes in Burundi since 1995.