§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what discussions the Department has had with non-governmental organisations on efforts to prevent cholera, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and dehydration in the refugee camps in and around Monrovia, Liberia. [128221]
§ Hilary BennDFID has had a humanitarian assessment mission in Liberia since 15 August 2003, which has conducted assessments into the needs of the displaced populations in and around Monrovia. With overcrowding in the centres of displacement, and inadequate water and sanitation facilities, diarrhoeal diseases are reported to have increased, and cholera has been recorded (1,203 new cases were registered between 11 and 17 August in Monrovia, up from 727 cases in the previous week). We have had detailed discussions with the NGOs that are working in the health sector. Epidemic prevention measures are under way, and adequate quantities of supplies have been flown in and pre-positioned. An inter-NGO task force is monitoring the situation and coordinating prevention efforts. To date, we have committed £2.9 million in 2003 to the NGOs and international agencies providing health care 85W in and around Monrovia. We have committed a further £4.7 million for additional humanitarian support. We are currently reviewing proposals submitted to us.
§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what discussions the Department has had with non-governmental organisations on the level of relief supplies in refugee camps in and around Monrovia, Liberia. [128222]
§ Hilary BennDFID has had a humanitarian assessment mission in Liberia since 15 August 2003 which has had extensive discussions with NGOs and conducted extensive assessments into the needs of the refugees camps in and around Monrovia. These have drawn attention to critical shortfalls in refugees' access to clean water, health services, food, sanitation facilities, and nutritional care. To help address these needs, we have committed £4.7 million to support the humanitarian work of the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross and NGOs. This is in addition to the £2.9 million we have provided to international agencies and NGOs in Liberia so far this year.
§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assistance the Department is giving to displaced persons in Liberia. [128223]
§ Hilary BennDFID has had a humanitarian assessment team in the region since 1 August 2003, and on the ground in Liberia since 15 August 2003. They have been assessing all aspects of the humanitarian crisis, including the needs of the displaced populations in and around Monrovia. The assessment has drawn attention to critical shortfalls in the displaced and host-population's access to clean water, health services, food, sanitation facilities and nutritional care. To address these needs, we have committed £4.7 million to support the humanitarian work of the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross and NGOs. This is in addition to the £2.9 million we have provided to international agencies and NGOs in Liberia so far this year.
§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment the Department has made of the level of clean water, medical supplies and other essential provisions in refugee camps in and around Monrovia, Liberia. [128224]
§ Hilary BennDFID has had a humanitarian assessment mission in Liberia since 15 August 2003, which has conducted extensive assessments into the needs of the displaced populations in and around Monrovia. The assessment has drawn attention to critical shortfalls in the displaced and host-population's access to clean water, health services, food, sanitation facilities, and nutrition. To address these needs, DFID has approved £4.7 million to support the humanitarian work of the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross and NGOs. This is in addition to the £2.9 million we have provided to international agencies and NGOs in Liberia so far this year.
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§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment the Department has made of the humanitarian situation in Liberia. [128227]
§ Hilary BennDFID has had a humanitarian assessment team in the region since 1 August 2003, and on the ground in Liberia since 15 August 2003. They have been assessing all aspects of the on-going humanitarian crisis, including the food, health, nutrition, water and sanitation sectors, and have been liaising with all humanitarian partners from the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the NGO community. Based on the team's assessment, we have finalised a humanitarian response strategy to which we have committed £4.7 million. This will bring the UK's total humanitarian assistance to Liberia to £7.6 million for 2003. We will continue to keep the situation under close review and focus funding on those agencies that have the best access to those most in need.