Written answers: UK Parliament
| Front Page |
Wednesday, 5 December 2007
International Development
Somaliland
Alun Michael (Cardiff South & Penarth, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department is providing for the development of democratic processes in the Republic of Somaliland.
Shahid Malik (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for International Development)
DFID is contributing over £1 million to a Democratization Programme in Somaliland.
The programme, implemented by Interpeace, currently supports the National Electoral Commission to:
- develop its capacity;
- produce a credible voter registration system and
- deliver free and fair elections.
It also supports civil society to engage in the democratic process.
___________________________________________
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
International Development
Somalia : Politics and Government
Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent reports he has received about the humanitarian situation in Somalia; what the response of his Department has been; and if he will make a statement.
Shahid Malik (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for International Development)
UN agencies and international NGOs active in Somalia report that up to 500,000 people, almost exclusively civilians, have been displaced as a result of the conflict in the south—197,000 since the beginning of October. They are mostly accommodated in temporary encampments close to the capital Mogadishu, and face shortages of shelter, food, water and, especially but not exclusively for those injured in the fighting, healthcare. A further 50,000 have been displaced by the border conflict between Somaliland and Puntland in the north. Total displacement of the Somali population, including those affected by earlier conflict and natural disasters, is estimated by the UN to be 1 million. Agencies delivering relief supplies face regular harassment, extortion and bureaucratic obstruction, and the International Community, including the UK, has made strong representations to the Somali authorities to enable relief work to flow freely.
So far in 2007 DFID has committed £8.6 million to help those worst affected by the fighting and the ongoing humanitarian needs, including £1 million since mid-October. We keep in close contact with UN agencies and our partners on the ground to ensure that DFID's humanitarian response fits the immediate needs of the most vulnerable. Our humanitarian adviser visited part of the affected area last week, to assess the situation. He will make another visit to the worst affected area during the next week, after which we will consider what further urgent support we might provide.
Source: theyworkforyou
Home | Contact us | Links | Archives | Search