HC Deb 05 March 2003 vol 400 cc1119-20W
Mr Vernon Coaker

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian consequences of a war with Iraq; and if she will make a statement. [100264]

Clare Short

Most Iraqi people are very vulnerable to humanitarian crisis. The majority of Iraqi's live in urban areas, with a dependence on water, sanitation and food distribution systems which could be disrupted in the event of military action. People's private coping strategies have been worn away by years of misrule. There is also the very worrying danger that Saddam might use chemical or biological weapons causing injuries to civilians, and that any conflict might lead to large population movements creating enormous humanitarian needs. My Department is in regular discussion with the Ministry of Defence, the UN, Governments and humanitarian actors about minimising the humanitarian risks of any conflict to the Iraqi people, and responding to any crises which might arise.