§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the level of humanitarian aid from HM Government dispatched to the Congo; and what steps she is taking to ensure such aid is not appropriated by the combatants. [106384]
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§ Clare ShortSince the current conflict began in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in August 1998, the UK has committed £1.7 million in humanitarian assistance to help people affected by the conflict. This includes £0.7 million to assist Congolese refugee populations in Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda.
Humanitarian assistance is provided to meet the needs of affected populations in the most effective way possible. In the DRC, the UK's assistance has been provided through the United Nations and well-established nongovernmental organisations. My Department is in regular contact with these and other organisations active in the DRC, and receives written reports to account for all the Department for International Development's humanitarian expenditure. Organisations are expected to identify the beneficiaries of any project supported by the UK to ensure that resources are targeted at the civilian populations in most need.