§ John RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much development aid her Department has given to Eritrea in each of the last four financial years; and whether she plans to increase this in the next financial year. [105429]
§ Clare ShortThe total development aid that my Department has provided to Eritrea in the most recent financial years for which we have figures available is:
£ million 1998–99 0.868 1999–2000 0.438 2000–01 2.385 2001–02 1.511 In addition we have provided support to Eritrea 656W through the European Commission, where our share of European Development Fund 8 is 12.69 per cent. Our imputed share of EC contributions to the EC in the most recent four years that we have data for is:
£ million 1997 0.7 1998 0.6 1999 0.7 2000 0.7 We do not have a development partnership with Eritrea. We will continue to make a contribution to meeting urgent humanitarian needs, and to the consolidation of the peace process. We will also continue to assess the scope for helping with economic and political reform.
§ John RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in Eritrea. [105430]
§ Clare ShortDFID continually monitors the humanitarian situation in Eritrea. In addition we have regular contacts with UN and international NGO relief organisations, and our Embassy in Eritrea regularly reports on humanitarian matters.
A visit by DFID officials at the end of January confirmed our view that there are significant humanitarian needs in the country, with high rates of malnutrition demonstrated in many areas, particularly in the Anseba and North Red Sea zones. Our humanitarian assistance, which has focused on meeting the most urgent needs, has amounted to just over £3.35 million since the beginning of 2002.
§ John RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions her Department has had with the United Nations Humanitarian Co-ordinator in Eritrea on aid reserves in Eritrea. [105431]
§ Clare ShortI refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave the hon. Member for Guildford (Sue Doughty) on 26 March 2003,Official Report, column 244W.