Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Wednesday, 14 June 2006 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Disaster Relief

Question: Although I agree with the Secretary of State that the fund is welcome and important, we need more effective co-ordination. Does he acknowledge the concern that the more co-ordination there is at international level, the harder it is for smaller, locally based NGOs and charities in countries affected to access funds? Will he use his good offices to ensure that such bodies are included in what is a worldwide response?

Answer: The hon. Gentleman has raised an extremely important point. In truth, about 60 per cent. of the funding that comes through the UN system for humanitarian relief ends up in the hands of NGOs, which do the work on the ground. Jan Egeland is conscious that he should be able to take quick decisions on spending money from CERF. I praise him and his team for their work, because such money gets down to NGOs, which deliver increasing amounts of humanitarian assistance when crises strike. I hope that we have got the right mechanisms in place to ensure that there is proper debate and dialogue between the NGO community and the UN system, because we are all in it together in trying to provide assistance when crises strike.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 447 c759
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: International assistance Non-governmental organisations Armed conflict Contributions Disaster relief Disasters Humanitarian aid Emergencies United Nations Darfur Democratic Republic of the Congo Horn of Africa UN Central Emergency Response Fund
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk