Written question asked by Adrian Bailey (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 February 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 March 2001. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 March 2001 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, What measures her Department is taking to address the humanitarian crisis in West Africa. (Failed OPQ). - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures her Department is taking to address the humanitarian crisis in west Africa. [152218] Clare Short: Half of Sierra Leone is under RUF rebel control and all basic services have broken down. One quarter of the population of Sierra Leone is displaced. We are providing £35 million per annum to support Sierra Leone and also supporting the UN peace keeping effort and helping train a new Sierra Leoneian army so that the country can return to peace. Fighting has recently spread to border areas as Liberian packed forces are seeking to destabilise neighbouring Guinea. This has led to the displacement of half a million people many of whom had moved to avoid fighting in Sierra Leone. The UN High Commission for refugees is trying to resettle and provide help to the refugees. We have provided £12 million for this work.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 364 c656W; 152218
Session: 2000-01
Question not reached: Yes
Subjects: Development aid International assistance Humanitarian aid Sierra Leone West Africa Guinea
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk