Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about the current humanitariansituation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [83303]Clare Short: We are continuing to press all parties to the conflict to agree a cease-fire and to reach a negotiated settlement. Thesigning in April of the Sirte agreement between the DRC, Uganda, Libya, Chad and Eritrea was a welcome step towards a cessation ofhostilities, as was the communique issued on 5 May by the leaders of Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda re-affirming their commitment to apeaceful settlement of the conflict.Fighting in the country is resulting in continued flows of refugees into neighbouring countries. The conflict and movement of thosedisplaced continues to prevent humanitarian agencies from accessing many of those in need.The UK is ready to respond to appeals from UN agencies and NGOs. We have so far this year provided over £450,000 bilaterally throughhumanitarian agencies to support refugee and displaced populations, and other vulnerable groups.