§ Mr. ConnartyTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to secure resources to assist rural investment in Ethiopia and prevent future food crises. [91682]
§ Clare ShortOne of the priorities for our assistance programme in Ethiopia is to help address the roots of food insecurity. This means looking at long-term approaches to reducing poverty and vulnerability—such as promoting broad-based economic growth, market development and rural roads. We are working with other bilateral and multilateral donors to achieve this whilst continuing to respond to short-term humanitarian demands.
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§ Mr. ConnartyTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to secure international commitment to increased interim aid for Ethiopia. [91683]
§ Clare ShortWe are committed to long-term partnership with Ethiopia, which includes support to addressing the underlying causes of food insecurity. In addition, we continue to play our part in providing humanitarian assistance, including food aid when necessary. We plan to substantially increase our development budget for Ethiopia over the next three years. Whilst doing this, we are in agreement with the Government of Ethiopia that donors should harmonise their efforts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of development assistance.
§ John RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Ethiopia. [92512]
§ Clare ShortThe humanitarian situation in Ethiopia is a matter of great concern. However, we consider that the Government of Ethiopia, donors and NGOs are coordinating their response well to ensure that this does not become a crisis.
As always we remain committed to playing our part in the international response. During 2002 we committed £32.3 million to food and non-food humanitarian assistance. This included £15 million for food aid to be distributed by the World Food Programme in late January and February 2003.
§ Mrs. Caroline SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development when her Department intends to move to direct budget support for Ethiopia. [92860]
§ Clare ShortDuring my visit to Ethiopia last week, along with the Ethiopian Finance Minister, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering the long-term development partnership between the UK and Government of Ethiopia to tackle poverty. The Memorandum indicates that we plan to provide at least 60 million of direct budget support over the next three years. We expect to disburse the first 10 million of this within the next month.
§ Mrs. Caroline SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of her Department's budget for Ethiopia will be disbursed by(a) direct budget support and (b) NGOs (i) as a proportion of her Department's assistance to Ethiopia and (ii) by value. [92861]
§ Clare ShortWe currently expect development programme spending in Ethiopia, where the total will be split approximately two-thirds direct budget support and one-third technical assistance. We will continue to do some work with civil society and local and international NGOs where this can help deliver our poverty reduction objectives.
On current plans we hope to commit at least 60 million on direct budget support and 30 million on technical cooperation over the next three years. In addition to the development programme spending a proportion of our humanitarian assistance will also continue to be provided through NGOs.