African Development Bank (Hansard, 1 May 2002)

§ Mrs. Spelman
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the directors of the African Development bank regarding their lending policy. [53624]

§ Clare Short
Discussions with directors are conducted at official level. The lending policy of the bank is being reviewed and discussed by officials representing the UK

Aid agencies Amount committed 2001 (£) Purpose

Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) 144,285 To cover shortfall for 2001.

Office of the United Nations Security Coordinator (UNSECOORD) 142,857 To support an additional field security officer.

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) 280,000 To enable UNICEF to continue to strengthen its activities, which are focused on education, mine action and water and sanitation.

World Health Organisation (WHO) 800,000 To provide support to WHO activities through the United Nations Consolidated Appeal Process 2001.

International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) 1,000,000 An additional contribution to its programmes in the region, focused on essential humanitarian support.

World Food Programme (WFP) 400,000 To support with the current pipeline problems.

§ Mrs. Spelman
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the conditions in Chechen refugee camps in Ingushetia. [53057]

§ Clare Short
My Department closely monitors the humanitarian situation in the North Caucasus, including Ingushetia. Assessments by UN agencies and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Ingushetia of the situation in camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) indicate that the situation for IDPs resident in Ingushetia is stable in terms of morbidity and mortality, and that there are no major outstanding humanitarian needs. But agencies agree that a full package of humanitarian assistance will continue to be required in light of the highly dependent nature of this population, and that the quality of assistance provided through humanitarian agencies within the Republic needs to be improved. We are addressing these needs through constant dialogue with, and through financial support to, the UN agencies and INGOs working in the region.

§ Mrs. Spelman
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of health needs in Chechnya, with special reference to the prevalence of tuberculosis. [53053]

§ Clare Short
According to research by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) food, clothing and shelter are the top priority needs for internally displaced people (IDPs) and vulnerable persons in Chechnya. Tuberculosis is not currently listed as a priority.
Basic health care is provided in numerous small health care centres, but the level of care is not known. ICRC's recent street survey showed that in Grozny out of 1,913 persons, 86.6 per cent. said they were in good health and in the rural areas out of 2,248 persons, 89.6 per cent. said 856W and other donors in the context of the ninth replenishment of the African Development Fund, negotiations on which are currently under way.

Aid agencies	Amount committed 2001 (£)	Purpose
Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)	144,285	To cover shortfall for 2001.
Office of the United Nations Security Coordinator (UNSECOORD)	142,857	To support an additional field security officer.
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)	280,000	To enable UNICEF to continue to strengthen its activities, which are focused on education, mine action and water and sanitation.
World Health Organisation (WHO)	800,000	To provide support to WHO activities through the United Nations Consolidated Appeal Process 2001.
International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC)	1,000,000	An additional contribution to its programmes in the region, focused on essential humanitarian support.
World Food Programme (WFP)	400,000	To support with the current pipeline problems.