§ 16. Mr. David TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial aid is being given to the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if she will make a statement. [147653]
§ Clare ShortThe UK committed £3 million in humanitarian assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in financial year 2000–01. These funds have been targeted on health and nutrition, assistance to refugees and other vulnerable groups, and rehabilitation of child soldiers in the eastern provinces. We also contribute £4.2 million of assistance through the EU.
The war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has caused untold suffering and damage in the country and in the surrounding region. We will continue to provide humanitarian assistance and to use our influence to try to promote an end to the DRC's conflict. We continue to support the Lusaka Peace Agreement of July 1999 as the most realistic formula for peace, and in all our contacts with signatories to the Lusaka Agreement we urge its implementation. UK bilateral assistance includes technical and financial support for the peace-keeping and political aspects of the Agreement.
§ 17. Mr. WalterTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on bilateral and European Union aid to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [147654]
§ Clare ShortThe UK committed £3 million in humanitarian assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in financial year 2000–01. These funds have been targeted on health and nutrition, assistance to refugees and other vulnerable groups, and rehabilitation of child soldiers in the eastern provinces. We also contribute £4.2 million of assistance through the EU.
The war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has caused untold suffering and damage in the country and in the surrounding region. We will continue to provide humanitarian assistance and to use our influence to try to promote an end to the DRC's conflict. We continue to support the Lusaka Peace Agreement of July 1999 as the most realistic formula for peace, and in all our contacts with signatories to the Lusaka Agreement we urge its implementation. UK bilateral assistance includes technical and financial support for the peace-keeping and political aspects of the Agreement.
The European Community Humanitarian Office provided over 25 million euro of humanitarian assistance to the DRC in 2000 and intends to make 35 million euro available in 2001. The EU will also fund a longer-term rehabilitation strategy for the DRC, including projects in the justice, institutional reform, sanitation, agriculture and 600W transport sectors. The first of these projects is planned to start in 2002, and focus on the judicial system. It will cost 28 million euro over four years.