Written question asked by Keith Simpson (Conservative) on Monday, 17 July 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 July 2006. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Monday, 24 July 2006 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Southern Iraq Donor Group

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the (a) remit and (b) membership is of the Southern Iraq Donor Group; how often it meets; what its goals are; how its performance is measured; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: I have been asked to reply.The Southern Iraq Donor Group’s (SIDG) goal is to improve the co-ordination of donors in the region and to create the necessary relationships to ensure good communication.SIDG meets in Basra once or twice a month. The meetings are co-ordinated and chaired by the United Nations. Although no fixed membership exists, most of the international actors in Southern Iraq—both military and civilian—attend the meetings including, for example, the US State Department, the United States agency for International Development (USAID), Multi-National Division (South East), the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), the US Military Corps of Engineers and the Danish Office. Not only is DFID one of the founders of the group, but it remains a member.The outcomes of workshops, implications of policy decisions and the impact of visits to Basra are all discussed, as well as any future joint projects and workshops that donors agree on.As for the performance of the SIDG, there is consensus among participants that it has been very effective in bringing donors together and has improved co-ordination both of programmes and communications.

Secondary information