§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the impact of delays in the, shipment of food aid to Angola on the humanitarian situation in the country. [135204]
§ Hilary BennThe principal provider of food aid in Angola is the World Food Programme. WFP's current programme began in July 2002 and is due to end in December this year. It is 90 per cent. funded. The operation has both emergency relief and recovery, or rehabilitation, elements.
We understand that due to delayed international maize shipments, the World Food Programme (WFP) is expecting shortfalls in cereals during November and December. The World Food Programme will continue to give priority to the sick and malnourished under social and nutritional programmes and these vulnerable groups will continue to receive full rations. This will minimise the negative humanitarian effects of the disruption of deliveries. However, there will be reduced availability of food aid for rehabilitation and recovery programmes.
At the end of 2002 DFID contributed £2 million to WFP in food aid in Angola, in response to their appeal for assistance with the food pipeline. We continue to closely monitor the humanitarian situation in Angola and will respond to urgent humanitarian needs.