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Dept for International Development

Answer

Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the number of residents of Fallujah who have been able to return to their homes; what assistance has been provided by (a) the UK Government, (b) the US Administration and (c) the Iraqi authorities to the residents of Fallujah; what the cost of the assistance has been in each case; what assessment he has made of the conditions in which residents who have not returned to their homes are living; what assessment he has made of provisions made for them to participate in the Iraqi elections; and if he will make a statement. [208260] Hilary Benn: Most areas of Fallujah are now open to the returning population. The number of people returning to the city is increasing steadily. By 14 January, over 100,000 people had crossed the checkpoints into the city since returns began on 23 December although far fewer are staying overnight. It is estimated that between 8,000 and 15,000 citizens are now living in the city. The Iraqi Interim Government (IIG) is leading on assistance to the people of Fallujah. The IIG Fallujah Core Co-ordination Group is liaising with multi- national and Iraqi forces who are providing security in the city, and is co-ordinating the provision of essential supplies by Iraqi Government Ministries. Food, medical items, tents and plastic sheeting, and water by tanker and bottle are getting through to the people in Fallujah. The IIG is providing an initial $100 welfare payment for each family returning to the city, and is finalising plans for more extensive compensation for damaged homes and businesses. Figures are not yet available on the cost of this assistance. The IIG is also developing medium and long-term reconstruction plans for the city and has set aside funds from the Iraqi budget for this work. The Minister of Industry has been charged with coordinating the work of the key Iraqi ministries involved. DFID is providing advice to the IIG Core Co-ordination Group on health, humanitarian and coordination issues, and DFID staff have made assessment visits to Fallujah. United States military forces operating in the area have established Humanitarian Assistance sites in the city and have announced that they will provide $200 for each household in Fallujah. US forces are also helping to provide security for the returning families, which has been good so far. United States agencies report that they have planned around 100 reconstruction projects in the Fallujah area totalling $84.1 million. Several US-funded projects have been contracted and are due to begin soon, including a $20 million project to refurbish the sewerage system, and projects to refurbish and equip local council offices. A large proportion of Fallujah's population is yet to return to the city. Many families are staying in the surrounding area, mostly with host families or in public buildings. Iraqi ministries and aid agencies continue to deliver essential supplies to these areas. Welfare payments for displaced people are being distributed through banks in the areas where they are currently living. The Independent Electoral Commission for Iraq (IECI) has established plans to allow Fallujah's displaced citizens to vote in the national elections at the end of January. The IECI has made special arrangements for same-day registration and voting at centres spread across the Al Anbar Governorate, and has asked Multi- National Force-Iraq to provide extra security at polling stations.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

208260; 429 c686-7W;429 c684-5W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Development aid Humanitarian aid Iraq Peacekeeping operations Internally displaced people Fallujah

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

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