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Baroness Crawley
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Crawley, Baroness (49)
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asked Her Majesty's Government:What efforts are being made to help internally displaced people to find permanent dwellings in (a) Afghanistan, (b) Iraq, (c) Uganda, and (d) the Democratic Republic of Congo; and what measures they, the European Union and the Commonwealth are taking on this.
asked Her Majesty's Government:What efforts are being made to help internally displaced people to find permanent dwellings in (a) Afghanistan, (b) Iraq, (c) Uganda, and (d) the Democratic Republic of Congo; and what measures they, the European Union and the Commonwealth are taking on this.
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
3 June 2008
The Department for International Development (DfID) supports humanitarian agencies and Governments to find durable solutions, be they voluntary return, relocation or local integration, to the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs), on the premise that any type of durable solution must be voluntary and safe.
In Afghanistan, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees is working with the Government to assist IDPs who wish to return to their place of origin. Those who are unable or unwilling to return are being integrated into local communities where they are assisted in finding permanent dwellings. DfID has contributed £4 million to the International Committee for the Red Cross for IDPs and vulnerable groups.
In Iraq, the security situation does not yet allow for IDPs to return to their places of origin. In the mean time, humanitarian assistance is provided to IDPs in temporary dwellings. DfID has committed £9 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Food Programme to assist IDPs and other vulnerable groups.
In Uganda, DfID and other donors are in discussion with the Government on how best to support their peace, recovery and development plan for Northern Uganda, which includes assisting IDPs to return to their original communities or to relocate elsewhere. In 2007-08 DfID released £16.9 million to help IDPs meet basic needs and begin the process of return. The European Commission is providing £2 million this year to shelter projects in Northern Uganda.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Enlarged Returns Assistance Programme (ERAP), managed by UNICEF, is helping IDPs who wish to return to their places of origin with packages of assistance. DfID supports the ERAP through its contribution to the Common Humanitarian Fund for the DRC (£30 million in 2008). The EU humanitarian assistance to the DRC, worth €30 million in 2008, also funds the ERAP.
Subjects
Development aid; International assistance; Iraq; Afghanistan; Uganda; Internally displaced people; EU aid; Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date
3 June 2008
Reference
3429; 702 c39-40WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they have taken following the reports by the Baghdad security plan on the operability of Baghdad's sewage plants.
asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they have taken following the reports by the Baghdad security plan on the operability of Baghdad's sewage plants.
Asked by
Baroness Northover
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
19 May 2008
We are unaware of any official reports having been made on the operability of Baghdad's sewage plants as a result of the Baghdad security plan. However, we are aware that a spokesman for the Government of Iraq has stated that, as at 3 February this year, none of the city's three sewage plants was operating at capacity. These problems were directly attributed to the neglect with which Saddam Hussein's regime treated the maintenance of Iraq's infrastructure.
The Joint Reconstruction Operation Centre, responsible for co-ordinating and synchronising reconstruction efforts in Baghdad, announced on 2 March that in the past year 80 per cent of the city's water distribution system and 60 per cent of the sewerage system had undergone reconstruction, as a result of co-operation between the Government of Iraq and coalition forces. Work is also continuing on extending the capacity of these systems. The US Army Corps of Engineers reports that a $2.3 million upgrade to sewer lines and water pumping stations in one of Baghdad's suburbs, which will help prevent health hazards to more than 115,000 area residents, is due to be completed in June, and that it is undertaking many other projects to improve Baghdad's infrastructure.
The UK Government are not currently involved in any work to improve Baghdad's sewage system. However, by May of this year the Department for International Development will have improved access to water for more than 1 million people in southern Iraq, by: undertaking infrastructure repair projects; providing training facilities for Iraqi engineers; and by providing technical advice for a major sewage installation in al-Amarah, replacing open sewage channels and providing up to half of the city's population with access to a piped sewage system.
Subjects
Iraq; Sewage; Reconstruction; Water treatment; Baghdad
Date
19 May 2008
Reference
2771; 701 c166WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:What proportion of girls are enrolled in primary, secondary and tertiary education in Iraq; and how this compares with five years ago.
asked Her Majesty's Government:What proportion of girls are enrolled in primary, secondary and tertiary education in Iraq; and how this compares with five years ago.
Asked by
Baroness Northover
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 April 2008
There is a lack of reliable data on the overall situation in the education sector in Iraq, and the enrolment of girls in education more specifically. The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) offers the following statistics, which indicate a slight increase in girls' enrolment at all levels of education between 2002 and 2005:
We do not have enrolment data for 2006 and 2007.
| Iraq Education—Female General Enrolment Ratio (%) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 2005 | |
| Primary | 89 | 90 (e) |
| Secondary | 27 (e) | 36 (e) |
| Tertiary | 9 (e) | 12 (e) |
| (e) = estimate |
Subjects
Women; Education; Iraq
Date
21 April 2008
Reference
2770; 700 c250WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they played a role in establishing the business skills programmes being developed in partnership between local district councils and the Baghdad Small Business Development Centre.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they played a role in establishing the business skills programmes being developed in partnership between local district councils and the Baghdad Small Business Development Centre.
Asked by
Baroness Tonge
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 April 2008
The Department for International Development is not involved in establishing the business skills programme being developed in partnership between local district councils and the Baghdad Small Business Development Centre (SBDC). This is an initiative supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Subjects
International assistance; Iraq; Small businesses
Date
21 April 2008
Reference
700 c249WA; 2725
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their response to the recent report by Women for Women International which found a substantial drop in the number of girls being enrolled in school over the past five years in Iraq; and
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their response to the recent report by Women for Women International which found a substantial drop in the number of girls being enrolled in school over the past five years in Iraq; and
Asked by
Baroness Tonge
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 April 2008
The UK Government share the concerns about gender disparities as well as general lack of access for children to education in Iraq. In March this year, the Department for International Development announced contributions to the UN's Children Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), totalling £5 million. These contributions will support the provision of emergency learning spaces and school equipment, rehabilitation of education facilities, and transportation for children to school, as well as meeting other priority needs among vulnerable Iraqis. This support forms part of DfID's overall humanitarian contributions for Iraq, totalling £147 million since 2003.
DfID has not seen the UN figures the noble Baroness quotes on female literacy in Iraq. The UNICEF report of last year estimated that overall literacy rates may have been around 74 per cent in 2006, compared to 52 per cent in 1977 and 72 per cent in 1987 following the education campaigns of the 1970s and 1980s. The report did not give figures for female literacy rates in the 1970s and 1980s but estimated they were around 64 per cent in 2006.
Subjects
Development aid; Women; Education; Iraq; Schools; Literacy
Date
21 April 2008
Reference
2726; 700 c250WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:What assistance they are giving to the refugees in the al-Tanf and al-Waleed camps on the Iraq border.
asked Her Majesty's Government:What assistance they are giving to the refugees in the al-Tanf and al-Waleed camps on the Iraq border.
Asked by
Lord Steel of Aikwood
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 April 2008
The UK Government remain concerned about the situation for the more than 2,700 Palestinian refugees in the al-Tanf and al-Waleed camps on the Iraqi-Syrian border. The Department for International Development supports these refugees through contributions to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). DfID recently announced a further £15 million in humanitarian assistance for Iraq, of which £10 million has gone to UNHCR and ICRC. This money will support displaced people in and from Iraq, including the Palestinians in the al-Tanf and al-Waleed camps. UNHCR and ICRC provide camp maintenance and medical assistance for the Palestinian refugees. UNHCR also pursues possibilities for resettlement for a number of these refugees to third countries.
DfID has contributed £147 million in humanitarian assistance for Iraq since 2003, of which £56 million has gone to UNHCR and ICRC.
Subjects
Development aid; Iraq; Refugees; Palestine; Syria
Date
21 April 2008
Reference
2642; 700 c251WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their response to the letter sent by 24 refugee and human rights agencies to the Prime Minister on 18 March on Iraqi refugees.
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their response to the letter sent by 24 refugee and human rights agencies to the Prime Minister on 18 March on Iraqi refugees.
Asked by
Baroness Northover
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 April 2008
The UK Government share the concerns for displaced Iraqis, as set out by the 24 NGOs in the open letter of 18 March to the UK and Iraqi Prime Ministers and the US President.
It is a priority for the UK Government to alleviate humanitarian suffering among displaced and vulnerable Iraqis. This is the reason the Department for International Development has recently announced a further £15 million in humanitarian assistance. The money will go to the UN-led Consolidated Appeal for Iraq, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This takes the UK Government's overall humanitarian assistance contributions for Iraq to £147 million since 2003. DfID's contributions have supported the provision of food, financial and legal aid to displaced and other vulnerable Iraqis. It has also supported the rehabilitation of hospital water and sanitation structures in Iraq and the upgrading of health and education facilities in host communities and countries. In addition, the UK is a major contributor to the European Commission (EC). Last year, the EC allocated €50 million in support of Iraqi refugees in the Middle East region. This included €9 million to support Syrian public health services in areas with large Iraqi populations, and €26.7 million to build capacity in the Jordanian education sector to accommodate Iraqi refugee children.
DfID's contributions to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) support the protection of Iraqi refugees in the Middle East region. By registering with UNHCR, refugees obtain improved legal protection in countries that have not signed up to the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention. UNHCR is continuously increasing its outreach efforts to register more Iraqis in countries such as Jordan and Syria. UNHCR also provides food and financial assistance to prevent destitution among the refugees. Other protection measures include UNHCR support to safe houses for victims of domestic violence and other vulnerable women and children in Syria.
Subjects
Development aid; Iraq; Refugees
Date
21 April 2008
Reference
2768; 700 c252WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:What assistance they are providing to reconstruct, repair and upgrade the power system in Iraq, including generation, transmission and distribution; and
asked Her Majesty's Government:What assistance they are providing to reconstruct, repair and upgrade the power system in Iraq, including generation, transmission and distribution; and
Asked by
Baroness Northover
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 April 2008
Since 2003 the Department for International Development (DfID) has spent £90 million on infrastructure projects in southern Iraq, of which £84 million has been on the power sector. We have added or secured 415 megawatts of electricity to the Iraqi national grid, and will be adding or securing a further 60 megawatts over the next few months, enough to provide 24 hours of power for around 1 million people. This has been achieved by repairing damaged electricity transmission and distribution networks, including transmission lines from al-Hartha power station to Basra city (securing electricity supplies for 1.5 million residents), and the al-Hartha power station chimney (securing electricity supplies for 340,000 people).
DfID is not providing any support to the Iraqi Commission of Electricity in drafting and implementing policy. We have been encouraging the Government of Iraq to approach the World Bank for advice on the energy sector, including power, as we believe that the bank is best placed to provide this assistance.
Subjects
Development aid; Electricity generation; Electricity; Infrastructure; Iraq
Date
21 April 2008
Reference
2687; 700 c251WA
House
House of Lords
What assistance they are providing to the Iraqi Commission of Electricity in drafting and implementing policy.
What assistance they are providing to the Iraqi Commission of Electricity in drafting and implementing policy.
Asked by
Baroness Northover
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 April 2008
Since 2003 the Department for International Development (DfID) has spent £90 million on infrastructure projects in southern Iraq, of which £84 million has been on the power sector. We have added or secured 415 megawatts of electricity to the Iraqi national grid, and will be adding or securing a further 60 megawatts over the next few months, enough to provide 24 hours of power for around 1 million people. This has been achieved by repairing damaged electricity transmission and distribution networks, including transmission lines from al-Hartha power station to Basra city (securing electricity supplies for 1.5 million residents), and the al-Hartha power station chimney (securing electricity supplies for 340,000 people).
DfID is not providing any support to the Iraqi Commission of Electricity in drafting and implementing policy. We have been encouraging the Government of Iraq to approach the World Bank for advice on the energy sector, including power, as we believe that the bank is best placed to provide this assistance.
Subjects
Development aid; Electricity generation; Electricity; Infrastructure; Iraq
Date
21 April 2008
Reference
700 c251WA; 2688
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their response to the estimates made by the International Organisation for Migration in its recent report on the number of displaced Iraqis and on the number of internally displaced Iraqis who do not receive government food rations, lack clean water and do not have access...
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their response to the estimates made by the International Organisation for Migration in its recent report on the number of displaced Iraqis and on the number of internally displaced Iraqis who do not receive government food rations, lack clean water and do not have access...
Asked by
Baroness Northover
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 April 2008
The UK Government remain concerned about the humanitarian situation in Iraq and the number of people who have been displaced from their homes. We have seen the International Organisation for Migration's (IOM) recent assessment that more than 5.1 million people are now displaced, of whom 2.7 million are displaced inside Iraq. The IOM also estimates that more than 75 per cent of internally displaced people do not have access to government food rations, nearly 20 per cent do not have access to clean water and 33 per cent cannot obtain the medicines they require. However, it remains difficult to obtain accurate data on the humanitarian situation in Iraq, and the figures quoted by humanitarian agencies vary. For example, UNHCR has recently reported that the total number of displaced Iraqis is around 4.4 million, of which 2.4 million are displaced inside Iraq.
Despite uncertainty about exact numbers, it is clear there are humanitarian needs in Iraq that have to be addressed. The Department for International Development is committed to playing its part and is working closely with the IOM, as well as UN agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to ensure urgent needs are met. In March this year, DfID announced a further £15 million in humanitarian assistance for vulnerable Iraqis, including a £1.5 million contribution to the IOM. This money will support humanitarian operations, including efforts to fill the gaps in the Government's food distribution system, repair water and sanitation structures, and rehabilitate and strengthen health services and facilities. This latest package of support takes DfID's total humanitarian contributions for Iraq to £147 million since 2003.
Subjects
Development aid; Drugs; Iraq; Food; Water; Internally displaced people
Date
21 April 2008
Reference
2767; 700 c249-50WA
House
House of Lords
What is their response to the latest figures published by the United Nations which suggest that the number of illiterate women in Iraq has increased from 2 per cent in the 1970s and 1980s to 27 per cent today.
What is their response to the latest figures published by the United Nations which suggest that the number of illiterate women in Iraq has increased from 2 per cent in the 1970s and 1980s to 27 per cent today.
Asked by
Baroness Tonge
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 April 2008
The UK Government share the concerns about gender disparities as well as general lack of access for children to education in Iraq. In March this year, the Department for International Development announced contributions to the UN's Children Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), totalling £5 million. These contributions will support the provision of emergency learning spaces and school equipment, rehabilitation of education facilities, and transportation for children to school, as well as meeting other priority needs among vulnerable Iraqis. This support forms part of DfID's overall humanitarian contributions for Iraq, totalling £147 million since 2003.
DfID has not seen the UN figures the noble Baroness quotes on female literacy in Iraq. The UNICEF report of last year estimated that overall literacy rates may have been around 74 per cent in 2006, compared to 52 per cent in 1977 and 72 per cent in 1987 following the education campaigns of the 1970s and 1980s. The report did not give figures for female literacy rates in the 1970s and 1980s but estimated they were around 64 per cent in 2006.
Subjects
Development aid; Women; Education; Iraq; Schools; Literacy
Date
21 April 2008
Reference
2727; 700 c250WA
House
House of Lords
What role they have played in the World Bank's two projects, Emergency Water, Sanitation and Urban Reconstruction, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works, and Emergency Baghdad Water Supply and Sanitation,which is being implemented by the mayoralty of Baghdad, to increase levels of water sanitation...
What role they have played in the World Bank's two projects, Emergency Water, Sanitation and Urban Reconstruction, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works, and Emergency Baghdad Water Supply and Sanitation,which is being implemented by the mayoralty of Baghdad, to increase levels of water sanitation...
Asked by
Baroness Northover
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 April 2008
In 2003, Iraq's 140 major water treatment facilities were operating at about 35 per cent of their design capacity (3 billion litres a day) due to inadequate maintenance, lack of plant operators, power shortages and looting. The international donor community, including the UK, US, World Bank and Japanese, are helping improve the efficiency and reliability of existing treatment facilities and the US has constructed several new facilities, especially in the south where water quality is particularly poor.
The Department for International Development has committed more than £100 million to infrastructure regeneration projects in Iraq. By May, we will have improved access to water for 1 million people. We have replaced 200 kilometres of water mains, repaired over 5,000 leaks, cleared out 7,000 septic tanks and cleared more than 40 kilometres of drains. We have refurbished a reverse osmosis unit in Basra to supply potable water to about 500,000 people. We have also improved water supply to 60,000 people in al-Amtahiyah, and constructed a water training centre in Basra to increase the skills of Iraqi engineers in water treatment and leakage repair. Finally, we have provided technical advice for a major sewage installation in al-Amarah, providing up to half the city's population with access to a piped system and replacing open sewage channels.
The US has rehabilitated the Sweet Water Canal system, repairing breaches, cleaning and repairing the main water storage and settling reservoir and refurbishing 14 water treatment plants around Basra city. The UK Royal Engineers have completed a project, funded by DfID, to install low lift pumps to provide a secondary source of domestic water supply to the 2 million population of Basra.
The two World Bank emergency water and sanitation projects in Iraq are being funded through the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI)—a multilateral mechanism made up of two trust funds, one managed by the United Nations and the other by the World Bank. Donors have pledged more than $1.77 billion for reconstruction projects through the IRFFI, of which DfID made a contribution of $127 million in 2004.
Subjects
Development aid; International assistance; Infrastructure; Iraq; Water supply; Sanitation; Reconstruction; Basra; Water treatment
Date
21 April 2008
Reference
700 c252-3WA; 2686
House
House of Lords
What role they have played in rehabilitating the 15 water treatment facilities and portions of the Sweet Water Canal to Basra; and
What role they have played in rehabilitating the 15 water treatment facilities and portions of the Sweet Water Canal to Basra; and
Asked by
Baroness Northover
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 April 2008
In 2003, Iraq's 140 major water treatment facilities were operating at about 35 per cent of their design capacity (3 billion litres a day) due to inadequate maintenance, lack of plant operators, power shortages and looting. The international donor community, including the UK, US, World Bank and Japanese, are helping improve the efficiency and reliability of existing treatment facilities and the US has constructed several new facilities, especially in the south where water quality is particularly poor.
The Department for International Development has committed more than £100 million to infrastructure regeneration projects in Iraq. By May, we will have improved access to water for 1 million people. We have replaced 200 kilometres of water mains, repaired over 5,000 leaks, cleared out 7,000 septic tanks and cleared more than 40 kilometres of drains. We have refurbished a reverse osmosis unit in Basra to supply potable water to about 500,000 people. We have also improved water supply to 60,000 people in al-Amtahiyah, and constructed a water training centre in Basra to increase the skills of Iraqi engineers in water treatment and leakage repair. Finally, we have provided technical advice for a major sewage installation in al-Amarah, providing up to half the city's population with access to a piped system and replacing open sewage channels.
The US has rehabilitated the Sweet Water Canal system, repairing breaches, cleaning and repairing the main water storage and settling reservoir and refurbishing 14 water treatment plants around Basra city. The UK Royal Engineers have completed a project, funded by DfID, to install low lift pumps to provide a secondary source of domestic water supply to the 2 million population of Basra.
The two World Bank emergency water and sanitation projects in Iraq are being funded through the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI)—a multilateral mechanism made up of two trust funds, one managed by the United Nations and the other by the World Bank. Donors have pledged more than $1.77 billion for reconstruction projects through the IRFFI, of which DfID made a contribution of $127 million in 2004.
Subjects
Development aid; International assistance; Infrastructure; Iraq; Water supply; Sanitation; Reconstruction; Basra; Water treatment
Date
21 April 2008
Reference
700 c252-3WA; 2685
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:What attempts they have made to restore the operating capacity of Iraq's 140 major water treatment centres, which currently operate at 65 per cent efficiency; and
asked Her Majesty's Government:What attempts they have made to restore the operating capacity of Iraq's 140 major water treatment centres, which currently operate at 65 per cent efficiency; and
Asked by
Baroness Northover
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 April 2008
In 2003, Iraq's 140 major water treatment facilities were operating at about 35 per cent of their design capacity (3 billion litres a day) due to inadequate maintenance, lack of plant operators, power shortages and looting. The international donor community, including the UK, US, World Bank and Japanese, are helping improve the efficiency and reliability of existing treatment facilities and the US has constructed several new facilities, especially in the south where water quality is particularly poor.
The Department for International Development has committed more than £100 million to infrastructure regeneration projects in Iraq. By May, we will have improved access to water for 1 million people. We have replaced 200 kilometres of water mains, repaired over 5,000 leaks, cleared out 7,000 septic tanks and cleared more than 40 kilometres of drains. We have refurbished a reverse osmosis unit in Basra to supply potable water to about 500,000 people. We have also improved water supply to 60,000 people in al-Amtahiyah, and constructed a water training centre in Basra to increase the skills of Iraqi engineers in water treatment and leakage repair. Finally, we have provided technical advice for a major sewage installation in al-Amarah, providing up to half the city's population with access to a piped system and replacing open sewage channels.
The US has rehabilitated the Sweet Water Canal system, repairing breaches, cleaning and repairing the main water storage and settling reservoir and refurbishing 14 water treatment plants around Basra city. The UK Royal Engineers have completed a project, funded by DfID, to install low lift pumps to provide a secondary source of domestic water supply to the 2 million population of Basra.
The two World Bank emergency water and sanitation projects in Iraq are being funded through the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI)—a multilateral mechanism made up of two trust funds, one managed by the United Nations and the other by the World Bank. Donors have pledged more than $1.77 billion for reconstruction projects through the IRFFI, of which DfID made a contribution of $127 million in 2004.
Subjects
Development aid; International assistance; Infrastructure; Iraq; Water supply; Sanitation; Reconstruction; Basra; Water treatment
Date
21 April 2008
Reference
2684; 700 c252-3WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make representations to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees with regard to taking joint action to obtain larger and more regular payments from the Government of Iraq to Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make representations to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees with regard to taking joint action to obtain larger and more regular payments from the Government of Iraq to Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan.
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
14 March 2008
The United Nations is best placed to help the Government of Iraq step up their response to the humanitarian situation inside and outside of Iraq. The UK is supporting the UN through financial contributions to the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). We welcome the Government of Iraq's pledge last month to contribute $40 million in support of internally displaced Iraqis through the newly launched UN-led consolidated appeal. We understand that the Government of Iraq have not, at present, committed further support for Iraqi refugees beyond the $25 million they pledged last year. We have no plans at this time to make a specific representation to UNHCR.
Since 2003, DfID has provided over £130 million in humanitarian assistance for Iraq, including Iraqi refugees in the region.
Subjects
Humanitarian aid; Iraq; Refugees; Syria; Jordan
Date
14 March 2008
Reference
2232; 699 c262WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:In January (a) how many Iraqi refugees they estimate each day returned from Syria to Iraq; and (b) how many Iraqi refugees they estimate each day left Iraq for Syria.
asked Her Majesty's Government:In January (a) how many Iraqi refugees they estimate each day returned from Syria to Iraq; and (b) how many Iraqi refugees they estimate each day left Iraq for Syria.
Asked by
Lord Acton
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
28 February 2008
According to the immigration officials at the Syrian border the average daily number of those entering Syria from Iraq in the month of January was estimated to be 1,200. It was also estimated that an average of 700 persons in January returned to Iraq from Syria.
UNHCR has confirmed that the trends outlined above are correct, though it is difficult to verify whether all persons crossing the borders are in fact refugees and numbers crossing borders changes on a daily basis.
Subjects
Iraq; Refugees; Repatriation; Syria
Date
28 February 2008
Reference
1950; 699 c136WA
House
House of Lords
Whether they will facilitate an independent epidemiological study of the incidence and prevalence of cancer and foetal abnormality in southern Iraq since the 1990–91 Gulf War.
Whether they will facilitate an independent epidemiological study of the incidence and prevalence of cancer and foetal abnormality in southern Iraq since the 1990–91 Gulf War.
Asked by
Lord Rea
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 February 2008
The Government are aware of reports of high rates of cancer and foetal abnormalities in recent years in Iraq. However, due to the security situation and consequent constraints on access by aid agencies to affected populations, there are currently no independent, reliable data on this.
The Department for International Development (DfID) does not currently regard an epidemiological study as a priority for our work in Iraq. We are focusing our efforts on meeting urgent humanitarian needs, including in the field of health. For example, we are supporting the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which is providing urgently needed medical supplies, such as war wounded kits to hospitals dealing with mass casualties, and improving health facilities (physical rehabilitation and training for staff). We are also supporting the United National High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), which is helping healthcare services in Syria and Jordan to cope with the influx of Iraqi refugees. As part of this support, Iraqis are receiving treatment for cancer in Syrian hospitals. The British Council and Department of Health are also building the capacity of the Iraqi health sector by training Iraqi doctors. So far 50 doctors have been trained and another 25 have been sent to the UK for two months.
Subjects
Cancer; Development aid; Congenital abnormalities; Health services; Iraq; Iraq-Kuwait conflict
Date
20 February 2008
Reference
1683; 699 c71-2WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their assessment of reports that since the 1990–91 Gulf War there has been a significant increase in the incidence and severity of cancer and foetal abnormality in southern Iraq; and
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their assessment of reports that since the 1990–91 Gulf War there has been a significant increase in the incidence and severity of cancer and foetal abnormality in southern Iraq; and
Asked by
Lord Rea
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 February 2008
The Government are aware of reports of high rates of cancer and foetal abnormalities in recent years in Iraq. However, due to the security situation and consequent constraints on access by aid agencies to affected populations, there are currently no independent, reliable data on this.
The Department for International Development (DfID) does not currently regard an epidemiological study as a priority for our work in Iraq. We are focusing our efforts on meeting urgent humanitarian needs, including in the field of health. For example, we are supporting the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which is providing urgently needed medical supplies, such as war wounded kits to hospitals dealing with mass casualties, and improving health facilities (physical rehabilitation and training for staff). We are also supporting the United National High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), which is helping healthcare services in Syria and Jordan to cope with the influx of Iraqi refugees. As part of this support, Iraqis are receiving treatment for cancer in Syrian hospitals. The British Council and Department of Health are also building the capacity of the Iraqi health sector by training Iraqi doctors. So far 50 doctors have been trained and another 25 have been sent to the UK for two months.
Subjects
Cancer; Development aid; Congenital abnormalities; Health services; Iraq; Iraq-Kuwait conflict
Date
20 February 2008
Reference
1682; 699 c71-2WA
House
House of Lords
My Lords, there is in theatre a major medical incident plan which can be invokedif it is likely that additional medical facilities are required. This plan is constantly reviewed and has been invoked previously and proven effective. In addition, force protection measures are being enhanced to improve infrastructure protection against indirect fire. Details of these plans cannot be released; to do so would seriously compromise operational security.
My Lords, there is in theatre a major medical incident plan which can be invokedif it is likely that additional medical facilities are required. This plan is constantly reviewed and has been invoked previously and proven effective. In addition, force protection measures are being enhanced to improve infrastructure protection against indirect fire. Details of these plans cannot be released; to do so would seriously compromise operational security.
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Emerton
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
Whether the clinical services and welfare support available to sick and injured troops serving in Iraq are sufficient to meet their needs in the light of increased indirect mortar and rocket attacks on field hospitals and surrounding areas.
Subjects
Armed forces; Hospitals; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Defence Medical Services
Date
15 May 2007
Reference
692 c126-7
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I can give the noble Baroness the assurance she seeks. The department fully recognises the vital role played by the Defence Medical Welfare Service and others, which provide for the practical and emotional support of our troops and their families. This will, of course, be reflected in the evidence that the department is submitting to the House of Commons Defence Committee.
My Lords, I can give the noble Baroness the assurance she seeks. The department fully recognises the vital role played by the Defence Medical Welfare Service and others, which provide for the practical and emotional support of our troops and their families. This will, of course, be reflected in the evidence that the department is submitting to the House of Commons Defence Committee.
Answered by
Baroness Crawley
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Emerton
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that helpful and informative Answer. I declare an interest as a trustee of the St John and British Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service, under contract with the Ministry of Defence. Currently there are two welfare officers serving in the field hospital in Basra under military command. The chief executive officer of the Defence Medical Welfare Service has recently returned from a three-day visit to the hospital, where he saw at first hand the excellent facilities and equipment that are available in the hospital and, more importantly, the skills and compassion of the clinical team and welfare officers. Can the Minister give an assurance that, in the forthcoming committee of inquiry into the welfare of our Armed Forces, account will be taken of the professional welfare officers?
Subjects
Armed forces; Hospitals; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Defence Medical Services
Date
15 May 2007
Reference
692 c127
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords