§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many shelter kits have been sent to Kosovo for relief aid; and what is the cost of the kits. [100750]
§ Mr. FoulkesI have been asked to reply.
Over 100,000 houses in Kosovo suffered damage in the conflict, of which half are beyond repair. This situation affects over 700,000 people. Emergency shelter is co-ordinated by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). 57,100 emergency repair kits are being provided through United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and Office For Disaster Assistance / USAID, in order to create dry shelter in repairable houses, on the basis of one room per family. According to the latest available figures, over 60 per cent. had been distributed by 15 November. UNHCR and OFDA/USAID are also distributing some 10,000 extended roofing kits which aim to provide shelter for several families within a single less-damaged dwelling.
ECHO have committed 16.5 million euros for NGO programmes focusing on shelter. The EC Task Force have separately committed 14 million euros. OFDA spend $33.4 million on shelter in the last US fiscal year (ending September 1999), and have so far spent $12 million this fiscal year. Figures for UNHCR are not currently available.
The Department for International Development's (DFID) chief contributions to winterisation complement shelter initiatives. Through DFID's Emergency Infrastructure Engineering Unit we aim to get essential work done on utilities, particularly power and water supply, before the winter becomes too severe. We have committed £19 million for these works. Pristina airport is crucial to emergency rehabilitation as an alternative supply route to the congested Blace crossing. DFID has committed up to £3 million to carry out emergency works to keep it open for 24-hour civilian air operations through the winter.