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1190092

registered interest
date	24/04/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Developing Countries: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment her Department has made of how lessons from the Ebola epidemic can be used to help support countries during the covid-19 pandemic.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	39722
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2020 answer text <p>Responding to COVID-19 and Ebola present markedly different challenges. However, there are lessons from tackling Ebola that have relevance to other infectious disease outbreaks, including COVID-19. In particular, investment in research and development – especially in vaccines – has been vital in limiting the current Ebola epidemic. To tackle COVID-19, the UK has committed over £313 million into innovative research and development of vaccines, rapid diagnostics and promising therapeutics for coronavirus.</p><p>Other relevant lessons from combatting Ebola include the importance of:</p><p>(i) effective community engagement to promote local participation in a response</p><p>(ii) delivering a multi-sectoral response to address people’s broad needs</p><p>(iii) ensuring strong coordination across domestic, international and UN partners, and an empowered UN leadership from the onset.</p><p>We continue to apply what we have learned as we work to help end the pandemic and mitigate the health, humanitarian and economic impacts on the world’s poorest and most vulnerable.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 01/05/2020 13:52:50 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1190093

registered interest
date	24/04/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Development Aid: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding available through the rapid response facility to support the poorest and most vulnerable countries during the covid-19 pandemic.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	39723
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2020 answer text <p>Decisions on allocating funds through the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) are being made in relation to the wider DFID COVID-19 response. We will keep further funding under review as we do with all our humanitarian interventions. DFID is also adapting its programmes across its country network to respond to COVID-19 and has committed significant new funding through the multilateral system. We expect NGOs to play a key role in delivery through these channels. In addition, extra funding has been allocated to NGOs through the DFID Unilever COVID-19 Hygiene and Behaviour Change Coalition.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 01/05/2020 13:55:06 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1190094

registered interest
date	24/04/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Developing Countries: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to add flexibility to existing grants to NGOs to enable them to support countries affected by covid-19 in the Global South.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	39724
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2020 answer text <p>DFID is engaging with supply partners to address the challenges posed to them and DFID-funded projects by COVID-19. We will work collaboratively with supply partners to find pragmatic solutions to support both our partners and continuation of our programmes where appropriate.</p><p>DFID is offering support to suppliers and partners where this is appropriate, in line with the UK government position and will apply the provisions of the Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Note and associated guidance for grants, which allows for relief on services and goods provided in the UK, to DFID aid programmes as a last resort and on a case-by-case basis for DFID contracts and grants.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 01/05/2020 13:50:51 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1190095

registered interest
date	24/04/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Developing Countries: Nutrition
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the cancellation of the 2020 Nutrition for Growth summit, what plans her Department has to announce funding for nutrition.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	39725
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2020 answer text <p>Global commitments to nutrition made at the 2013 Nutrition For Growth Summit come to an end this year. Continued investment to prevent and treat malnutrition is important, particularly as countries face worsening levels of malnutrition in the face of COVID-19. The Secretary of State reiterates the importance of nutrition in her endorsement for the DFID-funded Global Nutrition Report, which will be published in May.</p><p>DFID is looking at options for the UK commitment now that both the Olympic pledging event and the main Nutrition for Growth Summit have been postponed. The UK remains committed to preventing and treating malnutrition as part of our commitment to end the preventable deaths of mothers, new-borns and children. We will provide an update on our plans in due course.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 01/05/2020 13:44:41 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1190096

registered interest
date	24/04/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Developing Countries: Health Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to (a) support and (b) scale-up local health systems in the Global South.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	39726
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2020 answer text <p>The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of building strong and resilient health systems to protect against health threats, achieve universal health coverage and ending the preventable deaths of mothers, new-born babies and children. We are supporting health systems to manage the primary and secondary impacts of the pandemic by flexing our funding and programming. This builds on our long-term investments to strengthen and scale up health systems through: technical assistance and financial support directly to countries; supporting the World Health Organisation, global health initiatives and other agencies to provide technical assistance and programmes; and funding research and new products that increase access and reduce prices for essential health commodities.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 01/05/2020 13:54:30 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1190102

registered interest
date	24/04/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Developing Countries: Health Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions she has had with private creditors on cancelling the debt repayments of countries in the global south to enable those countries to focus their finances on resourcing their health systems.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	39729
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government is deeply concerned about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on low-income developing countries. In this time of crisis, it is vital that creditors work together to ensure that countries especially vulnerable to the pandemic are able to protect their citizens and economies.</p><p>The UK, alongside the G20 and the Paris Club of official creditors has committed to a temporary suspension of debt service repayments from the poorest countries.</p><p>The G20 has called on the private sector to participate and the UK is working with the Paris Club and Institute of International Finance, which represents nearly 450 financial services institutions from over 70 countries, to ensure a coordinated approach to comparable treatment.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 01/05/2020 15:35:06 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1190103

registered interest
date	24/04/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Development Aid: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to support poor and vulnerable people living in middle income countries who are vulnerable to covid-19.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	39730
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2020 answer text <p>The UK is at the forefront of the global response to COVID-19, through our diplomatic efforts and the provision of £744 million of UK aid to counter the health, humanitarian, and economic impacts. This will provide a safety net for the most vulnerable and support the poorest economies against collapse including in vulnerable middle income countries. The UK is using its significant investment and influence within the international system to leverage a strong and co-ordinated response globally and at the country level.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 01/05/2020 13:56:26 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1190104

registered interest
date	24/04/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Migrant Camps
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent steps she has taken to help (a) tackle overcrowding and (b) provide adequate sanitation in camps which support refugees and internally displaced persons.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	39731
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2020 answer text <p>Refugees and internally displaced people are amongst the most vulnerable to the COVID 19 pandemic. Many live in close quarters without access to proper healthcare or shelter, often in crowded camps where social distancing and regular handwashing are particularly difficult.</p><p>The UK is at the forefront of responding to refugee crises globally. Existing DFID programmes are already providing access to public health information, clean water, sanitation and health services for both displaced people and host communities. We are also working closely with all our international partners to coordinate a global response to COVID-19 that addresses the particular needs and vulnerabilities of displaced populations.</p><p>To date, we have committed £744 million in the international fight against COVID-19. Our most recent funding includes new support to the UN’s refugee agency and other partners to help install hand-washing stations and isolation and treatment centres in refugee camps, support vulnerable displaced families, provide protection and education services for forcibly displaced children, and increase access to clean water for displaced people living in areas of armed conflict.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 01/05/2020 14:00:12 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1190105

registered interest
date	24/04/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Developing Countries: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions she has had with women’s rights organisations based in the global south to help to inform her Department's response to the covid-19 pandemic.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	39732
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2020 answer text <p>We know that women and girls will be particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is likely to increase domestic violence, exacerbate the burden of care on women, and increase maternal mortality.</p><p>Southern women’s rights organisations (WROs) will be among the first responders on the front line and most likely to reach vulnerable women and girls. They are best placed to ensure the response is informed by the voices and needs of women.</p><p>DFID has therefore engaged directly with key women’s funds and women’s rights organisations to understand the impact on the ground and ensured their participation in wider civil society consultations. The United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence has shared conclusions of its rapid assessment from 122 women’s rights organisations.</p><p>This evidence is informing our response. This includes providing £10 million of UK aid to the United Nations Population Fund and £20 million to the UN Children’s Fund to scale up protection and support services for women and girls. We launched a call for proposals under our Rapid Response Facility which required all projects to mainstream gender, protection and safeguarding.</p><p>Consultation will continue as the situation evolves and as we move into recovery and response.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 01/05/2020 13:47:28 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1190108

registered interest
date	24/04/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Developing Countries: Human Rights
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to ensure that funding allocated by her Department to prevent and tackle the spread of covid-19 in developing countries is not used to (a) support the security sectors and (b) facilitate human rights abuses in those countries.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	39733
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2020 answer text <p>DFID has a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and aid diversion. Our Smart Rules framework, including pre-disbursement due diligence checks, project monitoring requirements and risk management processes, is designed to ensure that we spend wisely in all our programmes, particularly those delivering in high risk environments. We work closely with our implementing partners to ensure that DFID funds, in line with the International Development Act, are directed only to the aid outcomes or recipients they are intended for, with effective safeguards in place to maximise value for money for the UK taxpayer.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 01/05/2020 13:46:16 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill