Written question asked by Caroline Spelman (Conservative) on Monday, 21 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 October 2002. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Monday, 28 October 2002 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment her Department has made of the landmine problem in Angola.

Answer: Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment her Department has made of the land mine problem in Angola. [76875] Clare Short: My Department's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department (CHAD) carried out an assessment mission to Angola in July to determine the extent of the humanitarian crisis there. They found that according to mine-clearing agencies, the number of mines in Angola is now considerably lower than the previously estimated 13 million. Nevertheless the presence of mines remains one of the biggest restrictions to humanitarian aid delivery and is a serious security threat. The mines are widely dispersed and the exact location of the minefields is not properly mapped or recorded. Roads and bridges are heavily mined and are a major priority for the clearance agencies, followed by residential areas targeted for returnee communities, and their agricultural land.

Secondary information