§ Richard BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total UK aid to the Palestinian Authority was in each year since 1999. [88612]
§ Clare ShortThe total UK aid to the Palestinian Authority in each year is:
£million 1999–2000 8 2000–01 9 2001–02 14.5 2002–03 15 (estimated outturn)
§ Richard BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the recent report by Catherine Bertini on the level of UK development funds allocated to Palestinians. [88613]
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§ Clare ShortCatherine Bertini's report, and the subsequent UN Humanitarian Plan of Action, stimulated a very useful debate in the international community on how best to respond to the growing humanitarian crisis in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. I agreed in October 2002 an additional £5 million DFID contribution to help meet most urgent needs of the Palestinian people. Total projected expenditure for support to Palestinians for this financial year is now £32 million. This comprises £15 million bilaterally and £17 million through UNRWA.
§ Richard BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what emergency funds are being made available by the UK to assist Palestinians impoverished by Israeli military actions. [88614]
§ Clare ShortWe are providing support for a number of emergency programmes, including non-salary budgetary support, trauma counselling, special educational needs and UNRWA's emergency appeals. This year, out of estimated bilateral expenditure of £15 million, we anticipate that about £8 million will be for 'emergency' programmes. In addition, we have contributed £7 million to UNRWA's emergency appeal for 2002.
§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contributions her Department has made to assist UNRWA in its work with Palestinians in the Occupied Territories; and if she will make a statement. [88693]
§ Clare ShortUNRWA's needs are urgent, and it is critical to ensure that it receives consistent and predictable levels of support. The UK is UNRWA's second largest bilateral donor. In addition to our funding for UNRWA's regular budget—£42 million over the last three years—we have contributed over £20 million for UNRWA's emergency appeals in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.