10. Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the current humanitarian situation in Ethiopia and Eritrea. [123180]
§ Clare ShortThe situation in Ethiopia and Eritrea is a tragedy. Two of the poorest countries in the world have spent considerable resources in prosecuting a border war over the past two years where it is estimated that over 100,000 people have died. The Government of Ethiopia estimate eight million people will need humanitarian assistance this year. The UN are currently assessing the numbers of people in Eritrea displaced by the war. The international community will provide humanitarian relief for those affected by drought and displaced by war. But what the people of both countries need is peace and development.