Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of state development plans on indigenous populations in the lower Omo valley in Ethiopia.

We are aware of concerns raised about the impacts of development projects on the Omo people in southern Ethiopia. The UK makes regular assessments of the development context in Ethiopia. We are currently funding research which considers the impact of development on income inequality, conflict, and the environment in South Omo. The research is currently being finalised.