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Dept for International Development

Answer

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance is being provided to Iraq (a) to clean up areas of Iraq contaminated by used weapons and equipment deployed by coalition forces, (b) to clean up urban areas contaminated by depleted uranium shells used by coalition forces and (c) for training Iraqi scientists and engineers to decontaminate land despoiled by military activities; and what communications his Department has had with Iraq's environment Minister on environmental clean up in Iraq. [190759] Hilary Benn: The Government are supporting the Iraqi Interim Government in the clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) as part of post-conflict reconstruction in Iraq. De-mining organisations part- funded by DFID (the UN Mine Action Service and the Mines Advisory Group) are working with local organisations and the UK military to plot the locations of UXO and carry out disposals. DFID is also contributing to mine risk education programmes through UNICEF, and DFID funding is available for de-mining activities through the United Nations trust fund for Iraq. UK armed forces personnel have been carrying out ordnance disposal activities and removing surface-lying depleted uranium (DU) fragments from battlefield areas. They have also been exchanging information with humanitarian and commercial organisations involved in ordnance disposal work, and warning Iraqis through signs and leaflets that they should not go near or touch battlefield debris. The Ministry of Defence has offered advice to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Post Conflict Assessment Unit on carrying out risk assessments on DU within urban areas and on long- term monitoring of DU in the environment. DFID is providing financial support to UNEP for post-conflict environmental assessment work in Iraq, which includes technical assistance and capacity building for the Iraqi Environment Ministry. UNEP is also receiving significant funding from other donors through the UN trust fund for Iraq. UNEP has worked with Iraqi institutions to develop a contaminated sites database and a plan for the remediation of environmental "hotspots". The sites include industrial facilities, landfills, and sewage treatment plants as well as battlefield areas. UNEP has provided training for approximately 300 Iraqi officials and scientists in areas including contaminated sites assessment, environmental inspections, laboratory analysis and environmental impact assessment. Two training programmes on depleted uranium are scheduled for the third and final quarters of this year.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

425 c742W; 190759

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Deployment Development aid Contamination Defence equipment Bombs Bomb disposal Environment protection Iraq Training Weapons Urban areas Depleted uranium Scientists

Link

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