§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's actions during the famine in Malawi. [66869]
§ Clare ShortSince October 2001 my Department has committed over £23 million to help the people and Government of Malawi deal with the food crisis. Our assistance has supported the supply of agricultural inputs to help increase domestic food production, access to employment income from public works, and supplementary feeding programmes for children under five and mothers. These activities have been carried out in partnership with local NGOs, UN agencies, EU and Malawi Government departments. Included in the above sum is £10 million which I announced last month for Malawi as a contribution to the international response to the regional crisis. It will also be used for food imports, agricultural inputs and feeding programmes for vulnerable groups.
My officials in Malawi are playing a leading role in the Malawi national task force and working groups responsible for development of a comprehensive, long-term national food security strategy.