§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps are being taken to determine the number of unexploded land mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [167815]
§ Hilary BennIn 2003, the United Nations Mine Action Service established the United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre (UNMACC) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The UNMACC is now undertaking local surveys to determine the extent of the land mine problem in the Congo and providing expertise for the coordination of assistance to tackle the problem. In 2003, DFID provided a sum of £65,333 via its global grant to UNMAS to help fund these activities.
§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the humanitarian requirements of those Congolese nationals expelled from Angola and living in the Bandundu and Kasai-Occidental provinces of Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement. [167820]
§ Hilary BennThe humanitarian needs of Congolese expelled from Angola continue to be of concern. As of 20 April, some 67,000 Congolese have been registered by local crisis committees in Bandundu and Western Kasai Provinces. The Office for the Co-Ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) led an inter-agency mission on 19 April to Tshikapa in Western Kasai Province. Mission participants included the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Office Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), OCHA, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Caritas and representatives from the Congolese Ministries of Solidarity and Humanitarian Affairs and of the Interior. A number of Humanitarian NGO and United Nations partners are currently responding and DFID is monitoring the situation.