HC Deb 20 November 2002 vol 394 cc196-7W
Mrs. Spelman

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment her Department has made of the humanitarian situation in Eritrea; and how much money her Department is giving to help the people of Eritrea. [80558]

Clare Short

We are being kept informed by reports from our embassy in Eritrea and propose to send out one of our humanitarian advisers in the next month on an assessment mission. We understand that the Eritrea Consolidated Appeal is due to be launched on 19 November, which should include information on failed rains and forthcoming food shortages. In total we have given £1,350,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross' 2002 Appeal for Eritrea. In addition, through our Small Grants Scheme, we have disbursed some funds to health centres run by the Catholic Church to buy food supplements for malnourished children under five, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Mrs. Spelman

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions her Department has had with(a) the Government of Eritrea, (b) the Eritrean Relief and Refugee Committee and (c) the UN over the humanitarian situation in Eritrea. [80559]

Clare Short

I met with the President of Eritrea at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg and have since then had telephone conversations with him to discuss the situation in Eritrea and the region. I also have regular meetings with the Eritrean ambassador in London.

Our ambassador in Eritrea, as well as one of his staff, have attended various UN and Eritrean Relief and Refugee Committee meetings to discuss the humanitarian situation in Eritrea and have reported back to DFID and FCO.

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