§ Tony BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding(a) her Department and (b) other G8 countries have (i) pledged for and (ii) spent on the return of refugee programmes in Afghanistan. [61754]
§ Clare ShortSince September 2001, my Department has contributed over £3 million to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) for their programme of assistance to Afghan refugees, and over £3.5 million to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees to Afghanistan. We are also supporting a number of other humanitarian programmes which will help to create an environment for the sustainable return of both refugees and IDPs, including the United Nations-led programme of mine clearance and mine awareness in Afghanistan. We are currently considering what further support to provide for refugees, IDPs and returnees.
At the Tokyo conference in January, international donors pledged funds for the overall reconstruction of Afghanistan, including humanitarian programmes. Pledges were not broken down by sector. Therefore we are not aware of specific amounts pledged by G8 nations for refugee return.
§ Tony BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations her Department has made on the reduction of World Food Programme projects in Afghanistan. [61758]
§ Clare ShortMy Department is liaising with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) as it further targets and amends its activities in line with the developing situation on the ground and the availability 267W of resources. Since September 2001, we have contributed £9 million towards WFP's programmes in Afghanistan, and are currently considering what further support to provide.