§ The Earl of Sandwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assistance they have given to non-governmental organisations supporting demining teams in the latest financial year in (a) Sudan (b) Cambodia and (c) Afghanistan. [HL4516]
§ Baroness AmosWe have not made any funding available for demining projects in Sudan. We consider it inappropriate to provide funds for demining in situations where conflict continues and when new mines continue to be laid. In 1999–00, we provided some £2 million through non-governmental organisations for humanitarian mine clearance and mine awareness in Cambodia. Over the same period, we channelled approximately £1.7 million for humanitarian mine action in Afghanistan through the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Some of these funds were used to support programmes through non-governmental organisations. A copy of the Second Progress Report on the Department for International Development's mine action strategy will be placed in the Library of the House.