§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps are being taken to reduce the numbers of children involved in armed conflict, following the report by the UN Secretary General of 16 December on child soldiers. [88678]
§ Clare ShortThe UN Secretary General's report covered many aspects of the problems of children affected by armed conflict, including their direct involvement. The most effective way to reduce the impact of armed conflict on children, their families and communities, is to prevent, reduce and resolve armed conflicts. My Department is working with other Government Departments to intensify UK efforts to resolve conflict. In relation to children affected by armed conflict, my Department is supporting UNICEF through a multi-year capacity-building project to increase its ability to work with all concerned to decrease the impact of armed conflict on children and to support the disarmament, demobilisation and rehabilitation of child soldiers. We have also been supporting the work of the Secretary General's special representative on children and armed conflict. UNICEF's work on establishing national immunisation days (NIDs), mentioned in the report, is also supported by my Department.