HC Deb 27 March 2003 vol 402 c350W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions her Department has had with the World Food Programme regarding the humanitarian situation in Burundi. [105117]

Clare Short

The DFID representative in Bujumbura is in regular contact with WFP and the UN co-ordination team and regularly attends the weekly contact group for UN and other agencies which is co-ordinated by the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

In early March WFP distributed 7,744 tons of food to over 750,000 beneficiaries. They currently have just under 3,500 tons of stock available. They are appealing for further contributions in order to maintain deliveries. We are considering this request in the context of our overall humanitarian response.