Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian crisis inthe Democratic Republic of the Congo. [10286]Clare Short: The needs of the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo are desperate. Some progress on the peace process and agradual improvement in access for humanitarian agencies has enabled my Department to substantially increase the level of our supportfor humanitarian work through well-established non-governmental organisations.We have contributed funding towards direct humanitarian assistance particularly in the areas of health and nutrition, water andsanitation, prisoner protection, and assistance to refugees, child soldiers and other vulnerable groups. We have also funded humanrights projects in the DRC and in the wider Great Lakes region. Since January 2001 we have committed £5.5 million to the ICRC'semergency appeal.The Government are also working to promote an end to the country's conflict and a secure and lasting peace. We are providing supportto the peace process through the office of the Facilitator for the National Dialogue had peace-building projects, and we areactively exploring opportunities to support the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of combatants in the country.