HC Deb 21 November 2001 vol 375 cc310-1W
13. Mr. Ben Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on UK aid to east and central Africa. [14158]

Clare Short

The purpose of UK development assistance is to help the countries of the region to reduce poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Where possible we support countries' own poverty reduction strategies, for example by financing work to help them to design and implement pro-poor economic and social policies, improve the quality of governance and tackle HIV/AIDS. In countries affected by conflict we support initiatives to reduce the threat and impact of conflict, and provide emergency and rehabilitation assistance. Total UK assistance to the region in 2000–01 amounted to £516 million. Figures for the UK share of multilateral assistance are not yet available, but in 1999 this totalled £75 million.

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