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Written question asked by Alex Salmond (Scottish National Party) on Tuesday, 25 April 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 April 2017. It was answered by Tobias Ellwood (Conservative) on Thursday, 27 April 2017 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Sub-Saharan Africa: Emigration

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to protect Sub-Saharan migrants trying to reach Europe against the risk of their being sold as slaves or hostages in Libya.

Answer

UK aid programmes in source and transit countries increasingly focus on jobs and livelihoods, aiming to reduce the need for migrants to leave. We are also targeting people smuggling gangs.

The conflict makes Libya a difficult country in which to operate. Nonetheless the UK has committed over £12.4million since October 2015. This funding includes a programme partnering with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to improve living conditions for men and women in detention centres and assist the voluntary repatriation for migrants.

The UK is also supporting the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in providing humanitarian relief and immediate lifesaving assistance to vulnerable populations in Libya.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
71900
Session
2016-17
Subjects
Europe Libya Sub-Saharan Africa Emigration
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk