Tuesday, 18 July 2006
International Development
Somalia

Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North, Labor) Hansard source

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid programmes are supported by his Department in Somalia; and by which local administrations aid is delivered.

Hilary Benn (Secretary of State, Department for International Development)

DFID has a rising aid programme in Somalia. Subject to political and other developments within Somalia, this year we plan to disburse approximately £15.5 million, of which around 40 per cent. is likely to be spent in Somaliland . This is planned to rise further next year, again with a substantial portion benefiting Somaliland—either as support for specific Somaliland activities or as part of a Somalia-wide programme.

Our programmes in Somalia are focused around three objectives agreed:

i. To help achieve a just and viable political settlement in Somalia. Programmes include a Dialogue for Peace project and Democratization project through WSP International.

ii. To work with others to establish the basis for effective development assistance, with an initial focus on improving governance and service delivery. Programmes include a partnership agreement with UNICEF and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for support to primary education and a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Rule of Law Programme supporting re-establishment and strengthening of police services and justice systems.

iii. To ensure timely provision of humanitarian relief. For example, we provided approximately £13 million in response to the recent drought in the Horn of Africa, specifically for relief in Somalia.

We do not provide bilateral aid directly to any Somali authority; however, projects under the objectives above, undertaken by the UN and NGOs, involve collaboration with local and regional authorities and the Transitional Federal Government in their delivery.

Source: TheyWorkForYou

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