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93674

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2014
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Ebola
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the remarks of Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organisation, about the ebola outbreak; and what is their current assessment of the projected number of fatalities in West Africa.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL2103
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2014 answer text <p>We share the WHO’s concerns about the potential scale and global threat posed by the Ebola outbreak. According to the latest WHO data, there have been 4493 deaths from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa as of 12 October. The US Centre for Disease Control estimates that the number of cases in West Africa could reach 1.4 million by January 2015. In response to the outbreak, the UK is playing a leading role in the international response, and has committed £125 million to contain, control and ultimately defeat the disease in Sierra Leone.</p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 21/10/2014 16:34:09 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

92402

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2014
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	South Sudan
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that the recommendations of the Oxfam Report <i>From Crisis to Catastrophe, food security in South Sudan</i>, published on 6 October, are implemented.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL1964
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in South Sudan, and have recently announced a further £25 million of humanitarian assistance, making the UK one of the largest donors to the response with total contributions of £150 million this year.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>UK support has enabled humanitarian agencies to provide essential assistance in both United Nations camps and ‘hard-to-reach’ areas. Our assistance is providing more than 400,000 people with emergency food and/or livelihoods, 170,000 people with clean water, and 180,000 with improved hygiene and sanitation, and will assist thousands more this year. The UK is also ensuring that its development programmes contribute where possible, by maintaining health and education services through local systems; and by building the resilience of households through livelihoods programmes. We have also funded dozens of staff to key positions in the UN to assist with coordination and planning.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This assistance has helped to prevent deterioration of food security to famine levels. It has also helped agencies deal with the recent cholera outbreak, and provided support to survivors of sexual violence. However, we remain concerned about the humanitarian situation moving into 2015, with the risk of famine still real if conflict continues. Security and access remain major constraints to reaching those in need, especially in the hard-to-reach areas. We continue to stress the important need for all parties to respect the cessation of hostilities, and to allow unhampered access for humanitarian assistance.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We will continue to engage on the recommendations in the report in our role as member of the Security Council and in discussions with UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Governments of the region, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD).</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover grouped question UIN HL1965 question first answered 20/10/2014 16:35:16 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

92403

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2014
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	South Sudan
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the Oxfam Report <i>From Crisis to Catastrophe, food security in South Sudan</i>; and, in particular, how they will (1) assist the humanitarian efforts to create better conditions in United Nations camps, (2) improve co-ordination and delivery of aid to where people are, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, (3) ensure that diverse and sustainable interventions are made, building on local systems, and (4) improve management and planning to prevent future delays.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL1965
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in South Sudan, and have recently announced a further £25 million of humanitarian assistance, making the UK one of the largest donors to the response with total contributions of £150 million this year.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>UK support has enabled humanitarian agencies to provide essential assistance in both United Nations camps and ‘hard-to-reach’ areas. Our assistance is providing more than 400,000 people with emergency food and/or livelihoods, 170,000 people with clean water, and 180,000 with improved hygiene and sanitation, and will assist thousands more this year. The UK is also ensuring that its development programmes contribute where possible, by maintaining health and education services through local systems; and by building the resilience of households through livelihoods programmes. We have also funded dozens of staff to key positions in the UN to assist with coordination and planning.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This assistance has helped to prevent deterioration of food security to famine levels. It has also helped agencies deal with the recent cholera outbreak, and provided support to survivors of sexual violence. However, we remain concerned about the humanitarian situation moving into 2015, with the risk of famine still real if conflict continues. Security and access remain major constraints to reaching those in need, especially in the hard-to-reach areas. We continue to stress the important need for all parties to respect the cessation of hostilities, and to allow unhampered access for humanitarian assistance.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We will continue to engage on the recommendations in the report in our role as member of the Security Council and in discussions with UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Governments of the region, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD).</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover grouped question UIN HL1964 question first answered 20/10/2014 16:35:17 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

92404

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2014
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	South Sudan
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress is being made in South Sudan to ensure that all parties to the conflict and all armed groups (1) end violence and respect all agreements signed to date, including the Cessation of Hostilities and humanitarian agreements; (2) stop attacks against civilians, their homes and livelihoods, and end the forced recruitment of children; (3) guarantee protection of and respect for humanitarian staff; and (4) guarantee safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL1966
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>The intensity of the conflict in South Sudan has reduced substantially during the rainy season, but low level fighting and restrictions on humanitarian access in violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) continue. Steps towards a wider ceasefire were agreed in principle by the main warring parties in August, but an implementation matrix has not yet come into effect.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>A further round of peace talks convened by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) was held from 22 September to 5 October, with the mediators reporting some progress around the formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity to lead the country out of conflict. We expect talks to resume again after regional consultations, and the UK government continues to offer its full support to this process.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has stepped up patrols and continues to focus on protection of civilians and creating the conditions for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, in line with its renewed mandate agreed on 27 May 2014. Additional UN troops from regional forces have also been deployed in support of teams monitoring CoHA implementation. UK support has enabled humanitarian agencies to provide essential assistance in both UN Protection of Civilian (PoC) camps and in ‘hard to reach’ area. However, security and lack of access remain major constraints to reaching those in need and we continue to stress the important need for all parties to respect the CoH, and to allow for unhampered access for humanitarian assistance.<br></p><p> </p><p>On 25 September, South Sudan’s Foreign Minister recommitted to his country’s 2012 Action Plan on Children and Armed Conflict at an event hosted by the Minister for Africa in New York. However, we continue to receive credible reports of the use of child soldiers in some areas.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 20/10/2014 16:36:19 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

50435

	registered interest
	date	08/05/2014
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the crisis in the Central African Republic on the Building StabilityOverseas Strategy.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL7015
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2014 answer text <p>The crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR) has highlighted the importance of the cross-government approach set out in the Building Stability Overseas Strategy (BSOS), including rapid response, upstream prevention, and working in partnership with others in the international system. BSOS remains a core strategy for HMG's work in fragile and conflict-affected states.</p><p>In alignment with this, the UK continues to support international efforts to restore peace and security to CAR, some of which is funded by the Conflict Pool's Early Action Facility, which was created to support BSOS. We have provided logistical support to the French Operation Sangaris and £2m in non-lethal support to the African-led International Support Mission to the CAR (MISCA). The UK has committed £23m in humanitarian support to CAR since July 2013, funding a range of NGOs and UN agencies to provide access to protection, food, water, shelter, health and sanitation.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 14/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

93408

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2014
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Iraq
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the safety of Christian and Yezidi refugees in the Kurdish region in Iraq and the likelihood of an IS-led genocide against them.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL2074
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2014 answer text <p>The UK Government is using all the resources at its disposal to push back and ultimately seek to destroy ISIL. This includes providing military assistance to the Kurdish Peshmerga forces fighting ISIL so that they can restore control over the areas taken by ISIL, deploying a specialist team of Army trainers into Erbil, to provide Iraqi forces with training, and the RAF carrying out surveillance flights to provide greater situational awareness. The UK will continue to closely monitor the situation in the Kurdish and wider regions of Iraq.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In addition, DFID has provided £23m of UK Aid to Iraq, £17.5 million of which is funding NGOs, the UN and the Red Cross who continue to provide support to displaced people, including carrying out protection activities. All UK funded aid is distributed on the basis of need to ensure civilians are not discriminated against. Our aid is reaching displaced people across Iraq, including in the Kurdish region, to which many Christians and Yazidis have fled.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Secretary of State for DFID visited Iraq in August and urged the then Designate, now confirmed in post, Iraqi Prime Minister, Haida al-Abadi, to ensure that his government protects all minorities in Iraq, promotes human rights and asserts the rule of law. The UK has also helped to secure a UN Human Rights Council Resolution mandating the UN urgently to investigate and report on ISIL abuses.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 21/10/2014 16:34:47 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

92399

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2014
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Iraq
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made so far by the International Humanitarian Partnership with establishing the proposed three camps, each to house 15,000 persons, for refugees who have fled from the fighting in Iraq; how that progress compares with the anticipated schedule; how many refugees are believed to be in need of shelter; which ethnic or religious groups are being assisted in those camps by the International Humanitarian Partnership; and what assessment they have made of what is likely to happen to those who are not provided for by those camps.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL1961
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>The International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP) is building one camp in Shekhan which will provide shelter for up to 6,000 people. Camp construction is on schedule and should be ready to provide shelter by mid-November. The IHP was initially requested by UNHCR to build three of the sixteen camps that will provide shelter to those who have been displaced by the conflict in Northern Iraq. This proposal has now changed and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has taken charge of building the two other camps.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I) has received 860,000 displaced persons in successive waves. Of these, it is estimated that approximately 390,000 are in need of shelter. Of the £23 million that DFID has provided in response to the crisis, £17.5 million is funding United Nations (UN) agencies and NGO (Non-Government Organisation) partners to provide shelter, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) and protection services. We continue to respond to the crisis on the basis of needs although we recognise that many of those who are receiving assistance belong to religious or ethnic religious groups that have fled persecution.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The UN is working on a revised Strategic Response Plan (SRP) which will provide an assessment of the overall needs of refugees and IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). This SRP will include the shelter requirements for displaced persons up to December 2015. Our Advisors on the ground are working closely with aid agencies, the UN and the KRG to ensure that there is both an accurate assessment of need and an effective plan for meeting it.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 20/10/2014 16:29:51 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

61545

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2014
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	South Sudan
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to ensure that long-term development projects can continue in South Sudan in areas not affected by the conflict.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL314
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2014 answer text <p>Following a review of DFID South Sudan's strategic objectives and the ability of existing programmes to deliver in the new environment, Ministers approved an interim one-year strategy in February. The interim strategy prioritises life-saving interventions and humanitarian support, while protecting support for basic services and livelihoods, and core work on governance.</p><p> </p><p>Under the interim strategy we are continuing our development work on health, education and livelihoods. This includes support through the Health Pooled Fund, the Integrated Community Case Management project, the Girls' Education South Sudan project, the Building Resilience through Asset Creation and Enhancement Project and the Urban Food Security, Livelihoods and Markets project. In programming areas that are now affected by conflict we are working with implementers to develop emergency modalities which will allow continuing delivery where possible.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 19/06/2014 13:49:46 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

93410

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2014
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Middle East
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have considered relocating tented facilities from Afghanistan to the Kurdish regional area to house displaced refugees; and what discussions they have had with the Kurdish authorities about providing adequate shelter for refugees during the winter months.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL2076
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2014 answer text <p>DFID is already delivering at scale in Iraq. UK Aid has provided £17.5 million (of a total £23m) in funding to the UN, NGOs (Non-Government Organisations) and ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) for projects including winterisation assistance such as shelter kits for people living in collective shelters and unfinished buildings. In addition we have supplied 1,545 winterised tents and 4,720 thermal blankets for various UN agencies and NGO partners to distribute across affected areas including to families vulnerable in the winter climate. Our Advisors on the ground are working closely with aid agencies, the UN and the Kurdistan Regional Government to ensure that there is both an accurate assessment of need and an effective plan for meeting it. The UK will continue to closely monitor the situation in the Kurdish and wider regions of Iraq.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 21/10/2014 16:35:30 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

61547

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2014
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	South Sudan
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking in South Sudan to prevent famine, to prevent the spread of cholera, and to promote humanitarian access.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL316
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The UK is a leading donor to the humanitarian response in South Sudan. We have announced £82.5 million for support inside the country, and £12.5 million for support to refugees. Improved access is critical to the effectiveness of the humanitarian response. At the Oslo Humanitarian Conference on 20 May, the DFID Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State called on all parties to facilitate safe and speedy access. The FCO Minister for Africa also raised this with senior Ministers when he visited Juba in April. UK officials raise our concerns regularly with the parties in Juba and Addis Ababa.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The UK is actively supporting work to help tackle the food security crisis and cholera. We are providing £16 million of funding to the World Food Programme (WFP) to help provide food aid or cash for around 160,000 people, and £8.3 million to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to help provide livelihoods support for 40,000 households. To help counter the growing cholera epidemic our support through the United Nation's Children Fund (UNICEF - £4 million) will include funding for the UNICEF cholera response and for critical Water, Sanitation and Hygiene supplies. We are also funding two technical experts in the World Health Organisation (WHO) who are currently supporting the cholera response.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 19/06/2014 13:33:49 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool