§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make it her policy to set up in partnership with NGOs a permanent disaster relief contact point.[80785]
§ Clare ShortWe have an established and effective contact point for disaster and emergency relief in the Department for International Development's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department. We are also working in close partnership with NGOs concerned with humanitarian assistance, and arrangements for regular contact are in place. I do not believe it would be useful to merge government and NGO response to disasters. My department is able to move very rapidly in the early stages, NGO response takes longer but is highly valued and creates aid outlets for public contributions. Both have important roles to play.