§ Mr. WoodTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what action the Department is taking to boost humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan. [124618]
§ Hilary BennDFID allocated £44 million to support humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan last year. For the financial year 2003–04 we have allocated at least £5 million. This will be focused on aid to returning refugees and internally displaced persons and vulnerable, particularly women-beaded, households. These are the largest groups in continued need of humanitarian assistance.
The humanitarian situation has improved over the last 12 months with good rainfall over the winter and early spring. This has ameliorated the effects of the persistent drought.