§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how many departmental staff are employed in Iraq; and what their role in Iraq is. [115450]
§ Hilary BennDFID currently has four advisers in the Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA) in Baghdad. A number of additional short-term advisers will be seconded to ORHA over the coming days. DFID advisers are working on humanitarian assistance and liaison between ORHA and Iraqi administrators, UN agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, relevant NGOs and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq.
975WDFID has two advisers seconded to the UK military in Basra. A third is expected to arrive soon. A further two staff based in Basra are liasing with the humanitarian agencies as well as with the UK military based there.