§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the latest assessment of humanitarian need in Angola; and what bilateral and multilateral action they are taking to help meet it. [HL224]
§ Baroness AmosThe UN estimates that 3.7 million war-affected people will need to be provided with humanitarian assistance during the year 2000. The UK has committed over £48 million bilateral humanitarian assistance since the first UN appeal in June 1993 (of which some £43 million has been disbursed). About £7.5 million of this has been committed in 1999 to international Non Governmental Organisations and UN Agencies, and includes US$6 million (some £3.75 million) for food aid through the World Food Programme. In addition, we contribute through our membership of the European Community.
Prevailing insecurity has made the delivery of assistance dangerous and expensive. The United Kingdom, as a member of the UN Security Council, has called on all concerned to help facilitate safe passage for humanitarian personnel and the delivery of emergency assistance in areas under their control.