§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the United Nations regarding the protection afforded to internally displaced people in Angola. [71144]
§ Clare shortThe United Nations estimates that more than four million people have been displaced from their homes in Angola. Three million of these require urgent nutritional and medical assistance. The UK made strong representations to both the United Nations and the Government of Angola to agree a framework for humanitarian assistance and we have made contributions of £3.3 million this year, including £1.65 million to the720W UN, to meet urgent needs. I have met Ibrahim Gambari, the UN SGSR for Africa three times this year to discuss the situation in Angola.
With a genuine peace agreement now in place, people are starting to return to their homes. It is vital that human rights are respected during this time. This is the responsibility of the Angolan Government though we expect the UN to monitor the process. The UK are assisting with the disarmament, demobilisation, and re-integration of former UNITA combatants. My Department also has an emergency response team assessing the humanitarian situation in Angola at present. We will continue to monitor the situation as access to more remote areas becomes feasible and maintain a dialogue with the UN.