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Dept for International Development

Answer

Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what assessment he has made of the provision of (a) water, (b) hospital care and (c) schools for residents who have returned to Fallujah; and what assessment he has made of educational provision for the children of residents who have not returned; [210935] (2) what assessment he has made of the number of internally displaced persons from Fallujah who are planning to settle out of Fallujah for an extended period; [210936] (3) what assessment he has made of the number of homes in Fallujah which (a) sustained damage and (b) sustained damage such as to render them unfit for habitation since the commencement of military operations against insurgents in November 2004. [210937] Hilary Benn: The Interim Iraqi Government (IIG), with support from Multi-National Forces (MNF), has ensured that adequate supplies of food, water, shelter, fuel and health care are available to meet the essential needs of residents returning to Fallujah. Repairs to the water network have begun, and piped water is now available in a number of districts. In other districts, supplies are provided by tanker. Two hospitals and several health clinics are open in Fallujah to provide medical care. Preparations are being made to re-open schools in Fallujah, with five due to be opened by early February. 125 schools in the areas around Fallujah have re-opened to help cater for the children of residents and displaced people who are living there. No assessment has been made of the number of people displaced from Fallujah who are planning to settle elsewhere for an extended period. The IIG is planning to undertake a detailed assessment of damage to housing in Fallujah shortly. Preliminary estimates suggest that up to half the buildings in the city may have sustained substantial damage, with many of these rendered unfit for habitation, and that over 75 per cent. suffered some damage.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

430 c492-3W; 210935;210936;210937

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Housing Iraq Schools Water supply Utilities Internally displaced people Reconstruction Fallujah

Link

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