§ Tony WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the European Union about its contribution to humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan; and what was the outcome. [16066]
§ Clare ShortI had informal meetings with European Union Development Ministers on 10 October and 8 November. We agreed upon the importance of continued, substantial, assistance from the European Union for humanitarian programmes in Afghanistan. We also agreed on the importance of effective international co-ordination.
The EC's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) has recently announced the provision of a further 15 million euro of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. This brings the amount of EU humanitarian aid committed for the Afghan people so far in 2001 to nearly 44 million euro. The UK contributes 19 per cent. of this.
§ Tony WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on(a) recent developments in the supply of humanitarian resources in Afghanistan and (b) her priorities in the supply of humanitarian needs in Afghanistan over the next three months. [16065]
§ Clare ShortThere has been good progress by humanitarian agencies in opening up routes to get food and other emergency supplies into Afghanistan. From 13 November until 19 November, World Food Programme (WFP) operations were suspended (due to local hauliers' concern about the security situation in southern Afghanistan). The WFP resumed operations from Peshawar on 19 November. Operations from Quetta are still suspended, although the WFP continues to deliver food via the northern routes from Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. International staff from humanitarian agencies are beginning to return to Afghanistan, where possible, in order to accelerate deliveries so that winter stockpiles can be strengthened.
Our immediate priorities are to help meet lifesaving needs within Afghanistan, to support refugee needs in neighbouring countries and to strengthen the work of international humanitarian agencies. At the same time, we will also support the people of Afghanistan in building a better future. We continue to work with the international community on plans for rehabilitation and recovery. The principles and priorities guiding our approach are outlined 488W in a document entitled "Afghanistan—Recovery: An emergency plan for the first 100 days". A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with(a) her counterparts in other Governments and (b) the United Nations High Commission for Refugees on the aid programme for Afghan refugees (i) within the borders of Afghanistan and (ii) in neighbouring countries. [15865]
§ Clare ShortMy Department is in regular contact with other Governments through the Afghanistan support group of major donors, including USA, Japan and European countries. We are also in daily contact with key agencies, including UNHCR, regarding the humanitarian situation in the region.
In its inter-agency donor alert, the UN system identified $664 million of priority needs for Afghanistan. Over $700 million has been pledged against the appeal—sufficient to meet immediate requirements—of which over $280 million have actually been contributed (over 40 per cent. of the requirement). This is good by historic standards.
The UK was the first donor to pledge assistance, even prior to the UN inter-agency donor alert. We have so far allocated £40 million to support the work of UN agencies, the Red Cross movement and NGOs for immediate humanitarian assistance to Aghans, both in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries. Of this, £3 million has been disbursed to UNHCR, and includes financial, technical and in-kind assistance in support of its regional programme. At UNHCR's request, my Department has provided three relief flights to Iran and Pakistan transporting tents, shelter material and communications equipment. We have also provided a specialist site planner to UNHCR to Pakistan to assist with the setting up of new refugee camp sites.
In addition, we have allocated a further £11 million to support refugee-hosting communities in Pakistan. This will support the delivery of public health services, the supply of drugs and health equipment, and water and sanitation services. It will focus particularly on North-West Frontier Province and Baluchistan, where most of the Afghan refugees have settled.
§ Tony WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with UNHCR about the adequacy of provision for refugees outside Afghanistan. [16067]
§ Clare ShortMy Department is in regular contact with UNHCR at both field and headquarters level so that resources are used effectively for the provision of assistance to refugees and the protection of their rights.
So far we have committed £3 million to UNHCR's operations for refugees in response to the current crisis. At the request of UNHCR, my Department has provided three relief flights to Iran and Pakistan transporting tents, shelter material and communications equipment. We have also provided a specialist site planner to UNHCR in Pakistan to assist with the setting up of new refugee camp sites.
489WOur assessment is that while the situation in some camps may remain difficult, the general level of assistance to refugees has improved. In addition, there is sufficient reserve capacity in Pakistan to address the needs of a further 300,000 refugees.