The International Development Secretary and I met with David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), on Thursday 20 June to discuss WFP\u2019s partial suspension of operations in Yemen. I also had a telephone call with David Beasley on Thursday 6 June to discuss the issue, and UK officials have engaged closely with WFP throughout recent months, including through the WFP Executive Board. These discussions are ongoing.<\/p>
<\/p>
For the sake of Yemenis in desperate need, we call on the Houthis to immediately end all restrictions on aid agencies and comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2451 by allowing safe, rapid, and unhindered access for the humanitarian response and commercial supplies. The Houthis must cooperate with WFP and end their interference.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1466", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Wiltshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Andrew Murrison"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-03T15:52:39.443Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Yemen: World Food Programme"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions he has had with representatives of the World Food Programme on the suspension of aid in Sana\u2019a and other areas where aid is at risk of diversion.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/338", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Keith Vaz"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leicester East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Keith Vaz"} ], "uin" : "269632"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134909", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134909/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK continues to call on all parties to comply with the UN Security Council Resolution 2451 by supporting the unhindered flow of humanitarian supplies and personnel into and across Yemen. This includes the entry of relevant humanitarian equipment as well as the swift issuing of visas to humanitarian workers. We regularly raise these points directly with all parties, including at the highest levels.<\/p>
<\/p>
In addition to our £35 million of support to the World Food Programme this financial year (2019/20), UK aid is also supporting the UN Humanitarian Air Service (which is administered by WFP) to improve access for humanitarian workers across the country.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1466", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Wiltshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Andrew Murrison"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-03T15:53:39.597Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Yemen: World Food Programme"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support he is providing to the World Food Programme to (a) import equipment into Yemen and (b) secure visas for that country its staff without delay.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/338", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Keith Vaz"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leicester East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Keith Vaz"} ], "uin" : "269633"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134910", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134910/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK government is providing the World Food Programme (WFP) with £35 million in support of their work in Yemen this financial year (2019/20). Our funding provides cash and vouchers to meet the immediate food needs of more than one million Yemenis every month across the country, including Government-controlled areas.<\/p>
<\/p>
The UK\u2019s total commitment to Yemen since the conflict began in 2015 is £770 million. Approximately £171 million of this has been used to support WFP\u2019s response to vulnerable people in need.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1466", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Wiltshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Andrew Murrison"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-03T15:54:52.54Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Yemen: World Food Programme"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support his Department is providing to the World Food Programme to operate in Government-controlled areas in Yemen.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/338", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Keith Vaz"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leicester East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Keith Vaz"} ], "uin" : "269634"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134911", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134911/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK remains concerned by the environmental risk posed by the by the Safer oil tanker, currently moored off Hodeidah. As Sir Mark Lowcock, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, recently remarked to the UN Security Council, if the tanker ruptures or explodes it could cause a \u2018disaster\u2019 for the environment, shipping lanes and global economy.<\/p>
<\/p>
The UK continues to engage with the UN and Saudi Arabia on the issue, following Saudi Arabia\u2019s funding of a UN assessment mission. The UK calls on the Houthis to facilitate safe and rapid access to the Safer oil tanker so that the UN can carry out this vital work.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1466", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Wiltshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Andrew Murrison"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-03T15:55:53.993Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Yemen: Pollution Control"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department is taking to prevent pollution from the transport of barrels of oil along the coast of Hodeidah.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/338", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Keith Vaz"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leicester East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Keith Vaz"} ], "uin" : "269635"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134912", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134912/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK is deeply concerned by ongoing bureaucratic obstructions to the humanitarian response in Yemen, including delays and rejections to visa applications, the issuing of travel permits for periods shorter than required, and inconsistent processes for obtaining project permits. The 2018 and 2019 UN Panel of Experts reports concluded that Houthi authorities routinely obstruct humanitarian access throughout northern Yemen.<\/p>
<\/p>
We regularly raise obstructions to humanitarian access with all parties, including at the highest levels. The UK also calls on all parties to comply with the UN Security Council Resolution 2451 and support the unhindered flow of humanitarian supplies and personnel into and across Yemen.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1466", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Wiltshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Andrew Murrison"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-03T15:56:53.287Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Yemen: International Assistance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle the level of bureaucracy that impedes the operations of UN agencies and other international organisations in Yemen.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/338", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Keith Vaz"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leicester East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Keith Vaz"} ], "uin" : "269636"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 5, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }