§ Tony BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the £200 million of aid announced for Iraq reconstruction has been taken from his Department's contingency fund for humanitarian emergencies in 2003; and whether it will be ringfenced for particular projects. [133004]
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§ Hilary BennDFID's contingency reserve exists to enable us to respond to both humanitarian emergencies and reconstruction needs. The £209 million now committed by DFID to humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in Iraq in 2003 has been found from a number of sources, including £75 million from DFID's contingency reserve, an additional £120 million provided by HM Treasury from the central reserve, and money already allocated for assistance to Iraq. About £151 million has been committed to United Nations agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs, some of which is earmarked for specific projects and some of which is allocated for an agreed range of activities in a sector. The remaining £58 million has been allocated directly by DFID to particular projects and activities, including DFID secondments to the Coalition Provisional Authority.
§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what recent discussions his Department has had with NGOs working with children and adults with learning disabilities in Iraq; [133475]
(2) what assessment he has made of the number of people suffering from learning disabilities in Iraq. [133553]
§ Hilary BennDFID has held no specific discussions with NGOs on this issue, and no assessment has been made to date.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is responsible for institutions which work with children and adults with learning disabilities. UNICEF is working closely with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to support them to enhance services for vulnerable and disadvantaged children generally. DFID's programme in Iraq is focused on meeting the needs of all Iraqis, especially the most vulnerable.
§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total amount of humanitarian aid provided to Iraq since the beginning of the conflict is; and if he will make a statement. [133486]
§ Hilary BennDFID has so far committed £209 million to humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in Iraq. Much of this finance is being channelled though organisations best placed to deliver assistance on the ground: United Nations agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and NGOs. The UK also provides 19 per cent. of European Community (EC) funding for Iraq. The total EC commitment to Iraq currently stands at €100 million.
Substantial additional contributions are being made at the Madrid Donors Conference on 23 October. My written statement to the House of 14 October sets out the details.
§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures are in place to prevent food shortages after the cessation of the UN Oil for Food programme in Iraq. [133552]
§ Hilary BennThe ending of OFF will result in a change in management responsibilities for the Iraqi food procurement and distribution system, and not the end of the food distribution system. There is food in the692W pipeline until mid 2004 from contracts already funded and signed. As these contracts begin to expire the CPA will take over responsibility for contracting the supply of food and basic goods. Handover preparations have been under way for some time. The Ministry of Trade within the CPA is assessing expected OFF imports, the so called "food pipeline", against total needs. Where there is a shortfall the CPA is contracting alternative suppliers to provide the food. The financing for this will come from the CPA budget.
In the South and Centre of Iraq the Ministry of Trade has always had responsibility for distributing food and basic goods purchased under the Oil For Food scheme. This will not change with the ending of the Oil for Food programme. In the three Northern Governorates the Oil for Food programme was run by the World Food Programme. On 21 November responsibility in the North for this system will pass to a new organisation, the "Program Co-ordination Office". This will work under the CPA and may be able to re-employ many of those currently employed on the distribution side. Work is progressing to ensure that this office has the capacity to carry out its new role. The UK has a food security advisor in the CPA Ministry of Trade, and stands ready to provide further assistance against identified needs.