§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial assistance is provided to Angola; what proportion is used to promote reconciliation in that country; and if she will make a statement. [25751]
§ Hilary BennThe Department for International Development's bilateral aid budget to Angola for this financial year (2000–02) is £3.7 million, of which £2.5 million has been earmarked for development assistance. Support is mainly provided through international NGOs, to encourage trust, collaboration and partnerships between community organisations and local government. Such community co-operation and organisation contributes toward the strengthening of civil society, which is a prerequisite to future peace and stability in Angola.
Our major commitment to Angola is the Luanda Urban Poverty Programme (£6.65 million over three years). It began in July 1999, and aims to improve the economic livelihoods and access to basic services for the urban poor. In addition, it will enhance the capacity of communities and national NGOs to work with local government to meet basic needs.
We also provide limited support to the Government of Angola to assist with the development of its Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).
In addition to our bilateral aid programme, the Civil Society Challenge Fund (CSCF) is supporting civil society-strengthening programmes in Angola. In Luanda we are implementing a £250,000 project that will strengthen the capacity of local NGOs to disseminate human rights and peace-building information. The CSCF is also supporting peace-building and democratisation through raising the awareness of crucial target groups (teachers, local leaders, community workers, journalists, etc.) about human rights, the rule of law and promoting citizenship.
In 2000, EU aid to Angola totalled £26.05 million. The UK contributed 19 per cent, toward this total (£4.95 million). The figure for 2001 is not yet available.