Written question asked by Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party) on Tuesday, 8 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 February 2005. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Monday, 21 February 2005 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what contribution his Department (a) has made and (b) is making to the dispatch of emergency aid to Butuo, Liberia. - Inc figures.

Answer: Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution his Department (a) has made and (b) is making to the dispatch of emergency aid to Butuo, Liberia. [216287] Hilary Benn: With the upsurge of violence in Cote d'Ivoire in November 2004, approximately 10,000 Ivorian refugees fled to Liberia, into Butuo town and its vicinity. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme and NGOs brought initial food and other assistance to these refugees by helicopter, drawing in part on £4.7 million in grants already provided by DFID for their work in Liberia. According to the UNHCR, over half the refugees have returned to Cote d'Ivoire, and the remaining 5,000 in and around Butuo are now receiving adequate levels of support, again drawing on DFID grants.

Secondary information