§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what actions her Department is taking to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe; and what assessment she has made of the impact of President Mugabe's decision not to allow aid agencies to distribute emergency food supplies. [18633]
§ Clare ShortWe are closely involved in the development of a humanitarian assistance plan by the United Nations Development Programme in Zimbabwe in which UN agencies and NGOs are expected to play a key role. This plan is presently being discussed by UNDP with the Government of Zimbabwe on behalf of all potential providers of funds. We have also begun an initial supplementary feeding programme for 280,000 people (predominantly children) in the worst hit areas. We have not been informed of any decision not to allow agencies to distribute emergency food supplies.