§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support has been received from British industry in establishing easily accessed communications systems for refugees in the camps of Macedonia and Albania. [83769]
§ Mr. FoulkesThe International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other international agencies are seeking to ensure that refugees and displaced people in the camps have regular access to satellite, mobile and fixed phones as appropriate in order to re-establish family contacts. Where my department has received offers of support from British industry, they have been referred to these agencies.
§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress is being made in giving deportees in camps in Macedonia and Albania access to phones with which they can try to establish contact with lost friends, family and relatives. [83770]
§ Mr. FoulkesThe International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) leads on family tracing and reunification; ICRC, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international agencies are seeking to ensure that refugees and displaced people in the camps have regular access to satellite, mobile and fixed phones as appropriate in order to re-establish family contacts. The Department for International Development has contributed £2.5 million to ICRC, of which part will be used for family tracing.