§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement62W on the (a) effectiveness and (b) outcomes of the additional fund of emergency support to Zimbabwe announced on 23 October 2003. [136560]
§ Hilary BennOn 23 October DFID pledged a further £5 million for food assistance in Zimbabwe, through the World Food Programme (WFP), and £1.88 million for essential childhood vaccines, through UNICEF. These pledges bring British Government assistance in addressing the current humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe to over £62 million since September 2001.
I am confident that our financial assistance is being used effectively. The WFP has agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Zimbabwe which clearly sets out the humanitarian principles governing the identification of beneficiaries for WFP's ongoing emergency operation. Distribution procedures have been agreed with Government which give WFP's implementing partners (NGOs) a clear role in ensuring that donor-funded food aid reaches only those for whom it is intended. UNICEF has similarly robust procedures for ensuring that vaccines are used effectively for protecting vulnerable children from potentially fatal diseases, including tuberculosis, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, diphtheria, polio and measles.
The DFID team based in Zimbabwe is closely monitoring both the effectiveness and the outcomes of UK humanitarian support. The UK's recent contribution to WFP includes a provision of £0.5 million to strengthen WFP's monitoring systems for donor-funded food distribution. This will enable WFP to produce comprehensive monthly reports on the processes and the impact of all food aid distributed by them, as well as providing a basis upon which to improve the design of future operations.
§ Mr. RobathanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the outcome was of the contract awarded to Oxford Policy Management Ltd. for a Zimbabwe Trade Policy Capacity Project; and what action he took to ensure that none of this money went to the Government of Zimbabwe and its officials. [137732]
§ Hilary BennThe contract was terminated in July 2001 due to the political situation in Zimbabwe. The total spend was £10,100, paid to Oxford Policy Management Ltd.