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 her Department's strategy is for a demining programme in Angola.

Answer: Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department's strategy is for a demining programme in Angola. [76876] Clare Short: My Department is fully aware of the threat posed by landmines to the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to personal security. In July my Department's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department (CHAD) carried out an assessment mission to Angola to determine the extent of the humanitarian crisis there. With respect to demining, they concluded that we should focus our attention on strengthening the role of the UN in co-ordinating mine clearance activities and in mapping unexploded mines. To this end, we have recently allocated US$ 459,000 to UNDP for a project aimed at improving the effectiveness of mine action through strengthened coordination and planning at the provincial level.

Secondary information