§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Cote d'Ivoire; what the Government's policy is on humanitarian aid to Cote d'Ivoire; and if she will make a statement. [88734]
§ Clare ShortPrecise information on the extent of humanitarian needs remains incomplete. Large numbers of people, particularly among immigrant communities but also Ivorian citizens and refugees, have been displaced due to the conflict. There are real humanitarian needs and the situation could deteriorate quickly with scope for further conflict. In December, as an initial response to immediate needs, we released 2,000 tents, 30,000 blankets and 200 rolls of plastic sheeting from our emergency relief stockpile to boost UNHCR's regional stockpile in Accra, Ghana; also contributed towards an urgent airlift of UNHCR relief items to Liberia. I have also recently approved a contribution of £1 million towards appeals from agencies working in Cote d'Ivoire. We continue to monitor the humanitarian situation and are working closely with others in the international community to try to bring about a swift and peaceful resolution to the conflict.