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Dept for International Development

Answer

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 29 November 2004, Official Report, column 345, to the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Joan Ruddock) what the (a) number and (b) locations of civilians in and around Fallujah to whom humanitarian assistance could be provided. [202128] Hilary Benn: The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reports that around 210,000 civilians from Fallujah are currently living in the area around Fallujah: 120,000 in and around Amiriyah, 24,000 in Hababniyah, 21,000 in and around Karma, 21,000 in Nieamiyah, 12,000 in and around Saklawiya, and 12,000 spread across the smaller towns of Heet, Aana, Rawa, and Hadeatha. Assessments by the Interim Iraqi Government (IIG) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) indicate that a further estimated 35,000 civilians from Fallujah are currently situated in Baghdad. It is estimated that only a few thousand civilians remain in the city of Fallujah. The IIG reports that the majority of Fallujah's displaced civilians are staying with family and friends. Some are in schools, mosques, and Government buildings, and a small number are in tents. The IIG, the Multi-National Force, and humanitarian agencies agree that there is no humanitarian crisis in and around Fallujah. The IIG is monitoring the situation and co-ordinating humanitarian work in the area. A cross-ministry Core Co-ordination Group has been established, and representatives from key Iraqi Ministries are now on the ground, conducting assessments and distributing essential supplies. The IIG is also working with the Multi-National Force, UN agencies, and NGOs to ensure safe access to Fallujah's displaced civilians, and to plan for their return to the city. DFID is providing technical advice to the IIG Fallujah Core Co-ordination Group and is maintaining close contact with representatives from the Multi-National Force and with humanitarian organisations on the ground.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

202128; 428 c417W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Development aid Civilians International assistance Humanitarian aid Iraq Location Fallujah

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk