Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Campbell-Savours (Labour). It was answered on Tuesday, 24 April 2007.

Iraq: Humanitarian Assistance

Question: My Lords, given that1.9 million Iraqis have been displaced within Iraq,1.2 million Iraqis have been displaced in Syria and three-quarters of a million have been displaced in Jordan, does my noble friend think that £10 million will go very far? Could we not divert money from elsewhere within British public expenditure to support more of those living in these very difficult conditions?

Answer: My Lords, my figures do not quite match those given by my noble friend. The UNHCR estimates that some 1.9 million Iraqis are internally displaced, with 2 million Iraqis living in neighbouring countries, of whom 1 million are in Syria and around 700,000 in Jordan. The issue here is to work with the neighbouring countries so that displaced Iraqis can access services such as health and education. Only around 3 per cent are living in camps, so many slip under the radar. That is why we support organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the UNHCR and other agencies which work with those in the region and also with those who are internally displaced.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 691 c559
Session: 2006-07
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Development aid Humanitarian aid Iraq Refugees Internally displaced people
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk