Horn of Africa (Hansard, 12 April 2000)

§ Mr. Streeter
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the drought in the Horn of Africa; and what recent representations she has received from the international community concerning that drought. [118041]

§ Clare Short
The United Nations estimate that more than 12 million people face serious food shortages in the Horn of Africa. This is the result of the failure of the rains or very low rainfall in the past three years coupled with ongoing armed conflicts in the region and the presence of large numbers of refugees and displaced persons. The UN launched an appeal for £190 million on 28 January. The UN Secretary General has now appointed Catherine Bertini, Head of the World Food Programme, as his Special Envoy on the drought in the Horn of Africa. She will visit the region 11-19 April.

§ Mr. Streeter
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has for changes in the level of aid to the Horn of Africa region. [118039]

§ Clare Short
We have established a planning figure of about £23.35 million for bilateral expenditure in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan in 2000–01 compared to an expected outturn of £13.35 million for 1999–2000. This increase was programmed earlier this year following advance warning of the deteriorating food security situation in the Horn of Africa. The funds are available to support development programmes and emergency interventions. Actual expenditure for individual countries like all other planning figures are likely to vary depending on needs. In addition, the EU and other multilateral organisations to which we provide substantial support will be providing assistance to the region.

§ Dr. Tonge
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to increase the amount of immediate food relief to Ethiopia; and if she will make a statement. [118363]
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§ Clare Short
Since January we have committed some £4.5 million including 16,500 metric tonnes of food to help vulnerable populations in Ethiopia. About £2 million of this has been committed in the last week for food and non-food assistance to help provide relief to vulnerable people in Borana and North Omo. The food is being provided through international non-governmental organisations. We will also contribute 17 per cent. of the 432,000 metric tonnes provided by the EC this year.
We are ready to do more as needs emerge.