§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the results have been of her Department's funded water and sanitation projects in(a) Jabalia and (b) Anabta in improving water supplies to the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories. [43875]
§ Clare ShortThe project in Jabalia has led to improvements in both the quality and quantity of water for household consumption. Sanitary standards have also increased as the majority of households are now connected to a new sewage network. To ensure these gains are sustained a programme of hygiene and sanitary education is being implemented.
The quality of the water network in Anabta has improved by 90 per cent. At least 75 per cent. of households are connected to the new sewage network. However, the current crisis is affecting the implementation of the project with equipment embargoed by the Israeli Port Authorities, and access for project staff becoming increasingly difficult.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what effect the aid given to the Palestinian Authority's Minister for Education by her Department has had on her Department's capacity to manage(a) planning of teacher training, (b) school development and (c) the teaching of English in that region. [43874]
§ Clare ShortThe Palestinian Authority is responsible for planning teacher training, school development and teaching English. Between 1995–2000 we have provided technical assistance in these areas. Nearly all schools in the Palestinian Authority have benefited in some way from this.
- (a) all primary school head teachers, and most secondary school heads, have participated in a School Review and Development Planning programme, and over 12,000 teachers have received support for their personal development;
- (b) we piloted in a limited number of schools the development of management expertise focused on the preparation of guidelines and operating procedures. The final assessment of the project found that institutional capacity within the targeted schools had greatly increased;
- (c) English language training was not a component of this assistance.
The work of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) includes an education programme for Palestinian refugees. The UK supports UNRWA's work, providing £25 million in 2001.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to address unemployment in the occupied territories. [43873]
878W
§ Clare ShortWe are supporting the World Bank's Employment Generation and NGO Capacity Building Programmes, both of which are designed to tackle rising unemployment in the Palestinian Territories. We have also contributed to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency's (UNRWA) Emergency Appeal, which includes employment creation schemes for Palestinian refugees.