Yugoslavia (Hansard, 17 December 2001)

§ Dr. Tonge
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on changes in the levels of humanitarian assistance to Serbia in the post-Milosevic era. [22692]

§ Clare Short
Following the resumption of democratic rule in Serbia in October 2000, the UK provided a £10 million immediate assistance package for Serbia. We also contributed £22 million towards the EC's euro 188 million humanitarian aid programme, and provided a further £8.4 million to help the Serbian authorities pay arrears in family welfare benefits.
Over the last year, we have developed a programme of support for economic and social reforms, as set out in the DFID Country Strategy Paper for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Other donors have also developed longer-term, strategic assistance programmes. Such support for essential reforms is key in meeting the longer-term needs of the poor and vulnerable in Serbia.
The EC Humanitarian Affairs Office (ECHO) is providing euro 47.8 million of humanitarian assistance for 6W Serbia in 2001. DFID' s share of this is £5.7 million. Other donors, including the international relief agencies, are continuing to provide humanitarian assistance.

§ Dr. Tonge
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department is doing to support(a) internally displaced persons and (b) refugees within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the winter. [22691]

§ Clare Short
Humanitarian assistance from the international community, including assistance for internally displaced persons and refugees, is co-ordinated by the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and the European Commission Humanitarian Affairs Office (ECHO). The UK provides funds for these agencies, including 19.7 per cent. of the ECHO budget.
We are not planning to provide bilateral assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons this winter. Our bilateral programme focuses on providing technical assistance for institution and capacity building, and for economic and social reform. We aim to address the longer-term needs of poor people in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia by helping to restructure the economy, strengthen public administration and improve the delivery of social and health care services. This strategy is described in the DFID Country Strategy Paper for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.