§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the remit of the European Community Humanitarian Aid Office; what public reports it has issued; and what are the(a) percentage and (b) total of United Kingdom Overseas Development funds that are channelled through the European Union. [121637]
§ Clare ShortThe European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) is mandated to provide humanitarian assistance to people outside the European Union, particularly in developing countries, who are affected by natural disasters or man-made crises.
Since 1993 ECHO has published an Annual Report, periodic information updates (ECHO News and ECHO Files) and special reports on particular aspects of its activities such as disaster preparedness. A full list of current publications is available on the ECHO website (http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/index.html).
Some 30 per cent. of UK development funds are currently channelled through the EC. In 1998–99 (the latest year for which confirmed figures are available), the total DFID contribution to EC external spending was approximately £706 million.