§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the(a) names and (b) funding amounts of projects aimed at improving access to safe clean water funded (i) directly, (ii) on a multi-lateral basis and (iii) on a bi-lateral basis by his Department in the last two years. [167771]
§ Hilary BennDFID's overall aim is to reduce global poverty and promote sustainable development, in particular through achieving the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). DFID's goal in the water sector is to enable poor people to lead healthier and more productive lives by helping to increase and sustain their access to safe drinking water supply and appropriate sanitation.
The recent Water Action Plan shows that DFID's total bilateral expenditure on water and sanitation was £82 million in 1999–00, £91 million in 2000–01 and £87 million in 2001–02. These levels represent around 6 per cent. of DFID's total bilateral aid budget respectively in each year. DFID channels a significant proportion of its assistance through multilateral organisations such as the World Bank and UN organisations (£1.3 billion in 2001–02). DFID's contribution to multilateral spending on water and sanitation is estimated at around £40 million per annum.
The information on DFID's regional based development assistance to the water sector is currently being updated and will be available later this year. DFID's key focus at the moment is taking the Water Action Plan forward to help achieve the MDG's.