§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan following the ejection of the Taliban from key centres and of the opportunities this presents to increase the volume of food aid to the country; and if she will make a statement. [15584]
§ Clare ShortThe advances made by the Northern Alliance in recent days should enable us to improve humanitarian programmes and give better access to some of the most vulnerable people in Afghanistan who have received the least help in recent weeks. Such progress is dependent on improved security.
We hope that the UN and International Committee of the Red Cross will be able to improve delivery of food, healthcare, and other assistance to two million vulnerable people in the Northern Region of Afghanistan and that some of the internally displaced will be able to return home before the winter gets worse. Plans are now being made for the international staff of the UN, Red Cross and non-governmental organisations to return and thus improve services to vulnerable people. In addition, we will be able to accelerate deliveries to areas in central Afghanistan which will become harder to access in the coming months so that stockpiles can be built closer to the people who need them.
§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her response to the proposals by the Mineseeker Foundation on a scheme to clear mines in Afghanistan. [17973]
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§ Clare ShortMy Department has not received any proposals from the Mineseeker Foundation for mine clearance in Afghanistan.