Afghanistan (Hansard, 19 December 2001)

§ 9. Derek Twigg
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is providing to the people of Afghanistan to help them throughout the winter. [21890]

§ Clare Short
We have so far provided almost £40 million to United Nations agencies, the Red Cross movement and NGOs, including support for provision and stockpiling of assistance for the winter. The UN is aiming to maximise delivery through both road and air routes and is prioritising deliveries to areas where access may become more difficult over the winter, including the central Highlands, the Panjshir valley and the north-east of the country.

§ 11. Mr. Clifton-Brown
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the amount of aid reaching the people of Afghanistan. [21892]
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§ Clare Short
United Nations agencies, particularly the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF, the Red Cross movement and NGOs continue to make good progress in transporting essential relief supplies into Afghanistan. Over the past month, WFP has delivered over 68,000 tonnes of food, exceeding its monthly target. International staff of humanitarian agencies have now returned to some areas of the country and are working with national staff to reach those in need of assistance. However, progress is heavily dependent on improved security. Despite the best efforts of humanitarian agencies, some areas of Afghanistan are still proving difficult to access because of continuing insecurity.

§ 12. Mr. Heath
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the situation in the central highlands of Afghanistan with regard to the distribution of humanitarian aid. [21893]

§ Clare Short
United Nations agencies, particularly the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF, the Red Cross movement and NGOs continue to make good progress in transporting essential relief supplies into the central Highlands. UN international staff have now returned to the area.
WFP has achieved its target delivery of 33,000 tonnes of food aid to the central Highlands; the food will be distributed by partner NGOs to support up to a million people over the winter.
Other agencies, including UNICEF, the International Organisation for Migration and Oxfam, have continued to deliver health, shelter and education supplies.

§ 14. Mr. Neil Turner
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to support recovery and reconstruction in Afghanistan. [21896]

§ Clare Short
I have just announced an additional £20 million to support the UN-led recovery effort. We are fully committed to supporting Ambassador Brahimi and the United Nations system in their central role to help the people of Afghanistan and their new Interim Authority to begin this huge task. A copy of our updated "Emergency Plan to Initiate Recovery" has been placed in the Library of the House.

§ 21. Mr. Bailey
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to relieve the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. [21903]

§ 22. Lynne Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. [21904]

§ 24. Mr. Mullin
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the international aid situation in Afghanistan;and if she will make a statement. [21906]

§ 26. Tom Brake
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. [21908]

§ Clare Short
The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains serious. The United Nations estimates at least 5 million people are in need of assistance, and over 1 million have been displaced from their homes.
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UN agencies, particularly the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF and the Red Cross movement continue to make good progress in transporting essential relief supplies into Afghanistan. Over the past month, WFP has delivered over 68,000 tonnes of food, exceeding its monthly target. International staff of humanitarian agencies have now returned to some areas of the country and are working with national staff to reach those in need of assistance. However, progress is heavily dependent on improved security. Despite the best efforts of humanitarian agencies, some areas of Afghanistan are still proving difficult to access because of continuing insecurity.
My Department has so far allocated £60 million to United Nations agencies, the Red Cross movement and NGOs for their response to the Afghan crisis.