Botswana

HC Deb 10 May 2001 vol 368 cc314-5W

Mr. Davidson

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the Government's policies in respect of poverty reduction in Botswana. [160829]

Mr. Mullin

Botswana's record in pursuing effective poverty reduction policies is one of the strongest in Africa, although many of the gains made are under threat from the HIV/AIDS epidemic. DFID has contributed substantially to the Government of Botswana's poverty reduction programmes focusing particularly on rural livelihoods, education and more recently in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In the financial year 2000–01, DFID provided around £2.5 million directly to Botswana in addition to our contributions through multilateral agencies.