§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much(a) aid in kind and (b) monetary aid his Department has (i) pledged and (ii) delivered to (A) the Democratic Republic of the Congo and (B) the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1) in each year since 1997 and (2) in each month since November 2003; and if he will make a statement. [179751]
§ Hilary BennThe following table shows what has been delivered to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including as aid in kind and monetary aid, from 1997–98 to 2003–04 (latest, provisional figures).
Until the installation of the Transitional National Government in July last year, most of our assistance had been directed towards meeting the immediate humanitarian needs in DRC, as the table shows. The nature of humanitarian assistance is such that DFID did not pledge an overall amount but delivered assistance as and when it was necessary. Our overall aid framework for DRC in 2003–04 was £23 million—of which over £20 million was delivered, including £3 million as monetary aid.
DFID does not keep central monthly records of pledges or expenditures nor does it break down expenditure specifically by region within the Democratic Republic of Congo.
1483W
£000 Financial year Monetary aid Technical co-operation Grants and other aid in kind Humanitarian assistance Total DFID expenditure 1997–98 — 48 6,056 807 6,911 1998–99 — 63 118 370 552 1999–2000 — 49 15 1,257 1,322 2000–01 — 23 38 3.036 3,096 2001–02 — 188 63 5,307 5,558 2002–03 — 1,138 83 11,650 12,871 2003–04 2,990 3,878 320 12,946 20,135 Total 2,990 5,387 6,693 35.,373 50,445
§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what discussions(a) he and (b) members of his Department have had with representatives of non-governmental organisations concerning the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since he was made Secretary of State for International Development; what concerns were raised; and if he will make a statement; [179752]
(2) what representations his Department has received from non-governmental organisations concerning access to the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and if he will make a statement; [179753]
(3) what assessment his Department has made of the humanitarian implications of the decision by the Government of Rwanda to close its border to the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement; [179754]
(4) what estimate his Department has made of the numbers of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo in (a) Burundi, (b) Rwanda, (c) Uganda and (d) other countries; how these numbers have changed over the last six months; and if he will make a statement; [179755]
(5) what assessment his Department has made of the humanitarian impact of the security situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo; how this assessment has changed over the last six months; and if he will make a statement;[179756]
(6) what estimate his Department has made of the number of internally displaced people in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo; how this estimate has changed over the last six months; and if he will make a statement; [179757]
(7) what plans his Department has (a) drawn up and (b) implemented to help overcome the humanitarian crisis in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement. [179758]
§ Hilary BennDFID has regular discussions with the UN agencies and NGOs concerning the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Last year, DFID's humanitarian spend was £13 million; this year, a similar amount is available.
Following the recent reports of the humanitarian impact of the instability and fighting in Eastern DRC, DFID has sent a humanitarian assessment mission to Goma and Bukavu, which arrived on 22 June 2004. This mission intends to assess and respond to the growing humanitarian problem, working alongside our partner UN agencies and NGOs to assist the most vulnerable populations.
1484WWith NGOs and the UN only just getting access into the affected parts of Eastern DRC, there are no verifiable reports on the current numbers of internally displaced people or of refugees in neighbouring countries, or their present locations and requirements. The DFID humanitarian assessment mission hopes to determine both the scale of the problem, and how UK funds can best be used to alleviate this.
I will write to the hon. Member shortly with further details.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on aid the UK is sending(a) unilaterally and (b) as part of the EU to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [179301]
§ Hilary BennFor the financial year 2004–05, DFID has made available £34 million in UK bilateral assistance to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In the financial year 2003–04, UK bilateral assistance amounted to over £20 million.
For 2002–07, the UK-attributed contribution to the European Development Fund framework for the DRC is £17 million. In 2003–04, UK-attributed spend through the EU was –9 million.