§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what support Her Majesty's Government are giving to the Fur and other indigenous peoples of Dafur in Western Sudan; [106423]
(2) what humanitarian aid is being made available to the people of Darfur, Sudan. [105625]
§ Clare ShortDFID closely monitors the situation in Darfur and has regularly intervened to address humanitarian needs, and will continue to do so. We are also closely involved in supporting the peace process. A successful conclusion to this will bring real benefits to Darfur as to all other parts of Sudan.
At present we have a £500,000 grant for Save the Children to trace abducted women and children, then reunify with the their families in Darfur. There have not been any other specific contributions to NGO's working in Darfur so far this year; however, we have contributed £2,500,000 to the World Food Programme's 2003 Emergency Food Operations in Sudan and £2,500,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross 2003 Appeal for Sudan; additionally we have given £900,000 to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which includes an element to provide a response to humanitarian needs where necessary. The WFP, ICRC and OCHA are able to provide humanitarian assistance to Darfur if needs are demonstrated.