§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the United Nations Statement of 20 February regarding the potential for terrorist acitivity in Southern Afghanistan in the event of military action in Iraq; and what impact the statement will have on her Department's humanitarian programme in Afghanistan.[100920]
§ Clare ShortDFID's support for humanitarian (emergency) activities is channelled through UN Agencies and NGOs. We will continue to monitor the security situation, and needs, in conjunction with the Afghan Transitional Authority and the UN.
DFID has recently received reports of an improvement in the security situation in the South. The Afghan National Army and the national police force are now much more visible in Kandahar. All the NGOs (with the exception of Oxfam) that had left Kandahar due to security concerns have now returned as security has improved.