Written question asked by Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party) on Monday, 27 January 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 February 2003. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Monday, 3 February 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the belief in and fear of supernatural phenomena in southern Malawi; what assessment her Department has made of the impact the resulting violence toward strangers could have on the distribution of food aid; what meetings (a) she and (b) representatives from her Department have had with the aid agencies that (i) are delivering aid to Malawi and (ii) are planning to deliver aid to Malawi; whether this matter was raised in the meetings; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the belief in and fear of supernatural phenomena in southern Malawi; what assessment her Department has made of the impact the resulting violence toward strangers could have on the distribution of food aid; what meetings (a) she and (b) representatives from her Department have had with the aid agencies that (i) are delivering aid to Malawi and (ii) are planning to deliver aid to Malawi; whether this matter was raised in the meetings; and if she will make a statement. [94263] Clare Short: DFID officials in Lilongwe participate in regular meetings with representatives of all partners involved in the international and local response to Malawi's food crisis. Belief in witchcraft is still widespread in rural Malawi. However, no evidence of violence towards strangers or disruption of food distribution, resulting from belief in--and fear of-- supernatural phenomena in Southern Malawi, has been reported or discussed at such meetings.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 94263; 399 c18W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Development aid Distribution Violence Food aid Malawi Superstition
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk