§ 6. Tom BrakeTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development, if he will make a statement on humanitarian aid to Iraq. [118382]
§ Hilary BennDFID has so far committed £115 million towards humanitarian assistance in Iraq. This is being channelled though the organisations best placed to deliver practical help on the ground: the United Nations agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and NGOs. We have set aside a further £95 million for additional needs as they emerge, but money. Funds from existing DFID programmes will not be diverted to fund our assistance to Iraq.
While significant challenges remain, particularly in maintaining law and order, and restoring power, water and sanitation facilities, a major humanitarian crisis in Iraq has been averted.
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§ 10. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what steps the Department is taking to ensure that(a) medical and (b) food aid is reaching those most urgently in need in Iraq. [118386]
§ Hilary BennOf the £115 million DFID has committed towards humanitarian assistance in the current crisis, £8.5 million has been allocated specifically to medical support through a number of organisations, and £33 million to food aid through the World Food Programme. £35 million of aid not earmarked to specific sectors has been has allocated to the Red Cross and other organisations providing medical and other support.
We provide our support through the organisations best placed to deliver effective assistance. DFID teams in Baghdad and Basra monitor the situation on the ground and liaise with the humanitarian agencies.
§ 14. Ann WintertonTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development, if he will make a statement on his Department's role in the distribution of food aid in Iraq. [118391]
§ Hilary BennDFID has committed £115 million to humanitarian assistance in the current crisis, of which £33 million has been allocated to the provision of food aid through the World Food Programme (WFP). WFP has pipeline stocks of the main commodities for June, and expects to be able to maintain supplies thereafter. Part of the requirement will be met by purchases from Iraqi farmers. Distribution of food within Iraq, by the Iraqi Ministry of Trade, recommenced on 1 June. DFID teams in Baghdad and Basra monitor the situation on the ground and liaise with the humanitarian agencies. There is not expected to be any food crisis in Iraq.