Written question asked by Gary Streeter (Conservative) on Tuesday, 4 April 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 April 2000. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 April 2000 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the drought in the Horn of Africa; and what recent representations she has received from the international community concerning that drought.

Answer: Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the drought in the Horn of Africa; and what recent representations she has received from the international community concerning that drought. [118041] Clare Short: The United Nations estimate that more than 12 million people face serious food shortages in the Horn of Africa. This is the result of the failure of the rains or very low rainfall in the past three years coupled with ongoing armed conflicts in the region and the presence of large numbers of refugees and displaced persons. The UN launched an appeal for £190 million on 28 January. The UN Secretary General has now appointed. Catherine Bertini, Head of the World Food Programme, as his Special Envoy on the drought in the Horn of Africa. She will visit the region 11-19 April.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 348 c151W; 118041
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Armed conflict International assistance Refugees Famine Horn of Africa
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk