§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Minister of State. Department for International Development what aid278W the Department for International Development has provided for North Korea in the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [114678]
§ Hilary BennThe UKs policy towards engagement with the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) has resulted in limited humanitarian contributions. There are many constraints to humanitarian agencies operating in North Korea, including problems of access.
DFID contributed £500,000 for humanitarian assistance projects in 2000–01. In 2001–02, we contributed just over £2 million to UNICEF for essential drugs, immunisation and water and sanitation and to the British Red Cross for disaster preparedness and flood relief. There were no contributions in 2002 due to the problems of access. We continue to assess the situation for possible funding for 2003.
DFID is also providing support through the European Communitys programme. In each of the years 2000 and 2001, the European Community allocated approximately 3 million euros to the DPRK. In 2003, the ECs contribution has been 7.5 million euros so far. These contributions have been to target primary health care and food security. DFID contributes approximately 19 per cent. of the European Communitys funding.