Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 4 March 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 March 2003. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 March 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions her Department has had with the UN regarding the food scarcity affecting (a) third party nationals, (b) Russian refugees and (c) Liberian returnees in UNHCR transit centres in Grand Gedeh County, Liberia.

Answer: Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with the UN regarding the food scarcity affecting (a) third party nationals, (b) Russian refugees and (c) Liberian returnees in UNHCR transit centres in Grand Gedeh County, Liberia. [101717] Clare Short: Due to the serious deterioration of the security situation in Grand Gedeh County, and the movement of people in response to attacks or fear of attacks, distribution of food rations has been difficult. UNHCR has issued one month's rations to refugees and third country nationals in Zwedru transit camp. Those who are not in reach of the transit centre are almost certainly very short of adequate supplies of food. Third country nationals are prevented from leaving Liberia through Guinea to return to their countries of origin by the closure of the Guinean border by the Guinean authorities. We are keeping closely in touch with UNHCR and IOM on efforts to address this issue. UNHCR does not know of any Russian refugees in the area.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 401 c173W; 101717
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Asylum Foreign nationals Food supply UN High Commissioner for Refugees Russia Migrant camps Liberia
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk