Written question asked by Harold Best (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 November 2003. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Thursday, 13 November 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the intentions of aid agencies to stay in Iraq. - Including figure.

Answer: Mr. Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the intentions of aid agencies to stay in Iraq. [137523] Hilary Benn: I have been asked to reply. In the current circumstances in Iraq, aid agencies are understandably keeping under review their security procedures, their ways of working and the extent to which they maintain a presence in the country. Decisions in these areas are of course for them to take. DFID keeps in close contact with the United Nations and non-governmental organisations, particularly those which receive DFID funding, and is able to offer advice where appropriate, DFID has offered £3 million towards UN security measures in response to an appeal following the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad in August. DFID has also offered additional finance, if needed, for increased security provisions for those NGOs that we are supporting in Iraq. DFID, and other Government Departments, have put in place special security provisions for their own staff working in Iraq.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 137523; 413 c448-9W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Development aid International assistance Iraq Security Non-governmental organisations
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk