§ Lord McNairasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Amos on 3 February (WA 215) in respect of the diversion of food aid by the Sudan People's Liberation Army, what assessment they have made of the statement by Bishop Mazzolari, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Rumbek Diocese in southern Sudan (as reported by Agence France Presse on 21 July 1998), that the Sudan People's Liberation Army was diverting 65 per cent. of the emergency food aid being delivered by Operation Lifeline Sudan to affected areas of southern Sudan. [HL1249]
§ Baroness AmosThe Bishop of Rumbek's statement was one of a number of allegations about the diversion of food aid supplies in southern Sudan. The subsequent report of the task force jointly prepared by Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS), the Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Association and the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement in September 1998 identified a number of cases of food aid diversions in Sudan Peoples' Liberation Army (SPLA) areas. Strong evidence exists that diversions in these areas continue. The donor community and the United Nations continue to press the SPLA at the highest level to take action to put an end to this practice.
§ Lord McNairasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Amos on 3 February (WA 215), whether, since the United Kingdom contributed £28 million to Operation Lifeline Sudan and associated agencies in 1998, they will request an estimate (either as a percentage figure or in currency value) of how much food aid delivered in southern Sudan by Operation Lifeline Sudan has been diverted by the Sudan People's Liberation Army and others. [HL1250]
§ Baroness AmosIn the insecure environment of southern Sudan, calculation of a reliable estimate of past food aid diversions would not be possible. The evidence that diversions have occurred is compelling and, together with the UN and other donors, we are concentrating our efforts on action to minimise future such problems.
§ Lord McNairasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the claims in July 1998 by the Sudan People's Liberation Army, as reported by Associated Press on 27 July 1998, of corruption and inefficiency within Operation Lifeline Sudan. [HL1251]
179WA
§ Baroness AmosIt would not be appropriate to give credence to such claims from either side in the Sudan civil war in view of their own poor humanitarian records. We continue to make our own assessment of the efficacy of Operation Lifeline Sudan and work closely with the UN to secure the improvements to the operation that we judge to be desirable.
§ Lord McNairasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by the Baroness Amos on 3 February (WA 215), what measures the Department for International Development has taken to ensure that British aid to Sudan is not being diverted or misappropriated. [HL1253]
§ Baroness AmosThe issue of diversions relates to food aid. British food aid to Sudan last year was supplied entirely through the UN World Food Programme. The measures that we and the donor community are taking regarding food aid diversions were set out in my answer to the noble Lord on 3 February (HL707).