§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of food shortages in(a) Tanzania and (b) the Singida region. [133556]
§ Hilary BennThe Government of Tanzania carried out an initial crop assessment in May followed by further assessment in July. DFID has accepted the findings of the latter which identified 1.9 million people in 16 areas, including 135,000 in Singida region, as being particularly vulnerable to food shortage following the failure of the June harvest. DFID continues to await the formal appeal for assistance being coordinated by the WFP on behalf of the Government of Tanzania.
§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid his Department has given and is giving to meet the food shortages in(a) Tanzania and (b) the Singida region. [133557]
§ Hilary BennDuring the current year DFID has made £60 million available through direct budget support to the Government of Tanzania to support its Poverty Reduction Strategy, which includes provision for food security. In response to recent shortages, the Government of Tanzania has begun to distribute food from its strategic grain reserve in 16 areas (including Singida) identified as being particularly vulnerable. DFID continues to await the formal appeal for assistance being coordinated by the WFP on behalf of the Government of Tanzania.