§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken to ensure that water and electricity supplies and essential public services in Iraq have been maintained. [118977]
§ Hilary BennI have been asked to reply.
DFID has so far committed —115 million towards humanitarian assistance in the current crisis. We have set aside a further —95 million for additional needs as they emerge. We are working with UN agencies, NGOs and the Coalition Provisional Authority to ensure that water and electricity supplies and essential public services in Iraq are restored and maintained.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and others, including the UK military in Basra, have done good work to repair water and electricity facilities, and to supply water and power by alternative means while supplies are disrupted.