Written question asked by Paul Marsden (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 25 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 March 2003. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 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 contingency plans have been made to assist the civilians of Iraq in (a) water supplies, (b) food and (c) medical treatment after military conflict.

Answer: Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contingency plans have been made to assist the civilians of Iraq in (a) water supplies, (b) food and (c) medical treatment after military conflict. [100082] Clare Short: Operational humanitarian organisations have made a range of contingency plans to assist civilians with water food and medical treatment in the event of conflict in Iraq. My Department is in close contact with several such organisations, including Un agencies, the Red Cross/Crescent and NGOs. We also discuss regularly with the armed forces the importance of minimising the extent of civilian suffering, and the limited humanitarian assistance the military could provide during any period before UN agencies/NGOs were operational.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 100082; 400 c953W;400 c944W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Armed conflict International assistance Humanitarian aid Iraq Food Medical treatments Water supply Iraq conflict
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk