§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the EU aid package to Colombia will ensure that humanitarian assistance is brought to internally displaced communities. [145362]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 15 January 2001]: EU assistance for the peace process in Colombia of 105 million euro over the period 2000–06 will support human rights, long-term economic and social development and an end to violence.
The EU has stated that particular attention should be paid to, among others, victims of violence. We are very concerned at the levels of displacement within Colombian society and we will continue to do all we can to ensure that displaced people are included in the EU package of support. The UK has supported a number of projects among the displaced over recent years, both bilaterally and through the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and the UNHCR office in Bogota.