Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party). It was answered on Wednesday, 14 June 2006 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Disaster Relief

Question: Can the Secretary of State assure the House that at a time of crisis the aid that is provided, including the United Kingdom aid, goes to those who are most in need?

Answer: I can indeed offer the hon. Gentleman that assurance. That is precisely why we give the assistance. Most recently, when the earthquake struck in Indonesia on the island of Java, Britain contributed £5 million—£3 million to UN, £1 million to the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, and £1 million to NGOs that are delivering help on the ground. In those circumstances, the world demonstrated its capacity to respond quickly to give very practical help—shelter, blankets, bedding, medical supplies, water, sanitation and food—because that is what people need when they have lost everything.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 447 c759-60
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: International assistance 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