Asked by: Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of international standing and influence of (1) the Canadian International Development Agency, following its merger with the Canadian Department of International Affairs and Trade, and (2) Australian Aid, following its merger into the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
We will learn from the examples of Australia and Canada, who run generous and respected development programmes from their foreign ministries. There are lessons we can draw from the experiences of other countries, but we will do this in a way that works best for the UK.
Asked by: Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are taking steps to ensure that Commonwealth countries do more to tackle global health threats, such as malaria.
Answered by Lord Bates
The UK is a leader in accelerating malaria control through our contribution to the Global Fund, direct support to countries to develop and implement malaria policies, and our extensive research programme for new drugs, diagnostic and insecticides. Since it started work, the Global Fund has spent over £13.6bn in Commonwealth countries.
In addition, DFID supports a number of Commonwealth countries, for instance Ghana, to tackle health threats by strengthening their health systems – one of the most important methods to prevent, detect and respond to emerging and existing health threats.
Asked by: Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Médecins Sans Frontières' rejection of EU funding in Sudan in response to the EU's policies on migrants attempting to reach Europe.
Answered by Baroness Verma
We were disappointed to learn about Médecins Sans Frontières' rejection of EU funding in Sudan. Sudan is a major source, host and transit country for migration. As such we remain committed to tackling the full range of migration issues in Sudan, including addressing the conflicts and the human rights situation, and supporting regional co-operation and efforts to stop people trafficking and smuggling through the ‘Khartoum Process’. Through DFID, we will deliver support that addresses the root causes of migration, and strengthen the basis for inclusive economic development and increased employment opportunities to encourage Sudanese people to better see their future in Sudan.
Asked by: Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the investment case prepared by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria ahead of its replenishment conference taking place in Montreal on 16 September.
Answered by Baroness Verma
The investment case projects that a successful replenishment will enable the Global Fund to save 8 million lives and avert up to 300 million new infections over the replenishment period 2017-2019.
The UK wishes to see a successful replenishment; the final decision on a UK contribution is yet to be made and will depend on a multitude of factors, including the outcome of DFID’s Multilateral Aid Review to be published later in the summer and discussions between the Chancellor and Secretary of State.
Asked by: Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions the Secretary of State for International Development has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Answered by Baroness Verma
The UK Government has enjoyed a successful partnership with the Global Fund to date. As the third largest donor for the replenishment period 2014-16, the UK’s investment will improve the lives of millions of people – helping to save approximately 580,000 lives through the prevention of 8.4m malaria, HIV and TB infections.
Earlier this year, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I committed that the UK would spend £500 million a year battling malaria. The UK’s contribution to the replenishment of the Global Fund will play an important role in meeting the commitment.
The UK wishes to see a successful replenishment; the final decision on a UK contribution is yet to be made and will depend on a multitude of factors, including the outcome of DFID’s Multilateral Aid Review to be published later in the summer, and I look forward to discussing it with the Chancellor.
Asked by: Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to increase United Kingdom aid spending on water sanitation and hygiene on a regular incremental basis each year over this Parliament.
Answered by Baroness Verma
The Conservative Manifesto committed to help at least 60 million people to get access to clean water and sanitation by 2020, to stop terrible diseases. Exact allocations are to be determined following the Government-wide Spending Review and subsequent internal DFID processes.
Asked by: Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to introduce measures to maximise the impact of United Kingdom aid investment in water, sanitation and hygiene services (1) in health clinics, (2) in schools, (3) with respect to their strategy for the health of mothers, newborn babies and children, and (4) with respect to gender inequality.
Answered by Baroness Verma
The UK Government recognises the importance of promoting safe and reliable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in health centres and schools in developing countries to reduce environmental health risks. In health clinics adequate WASH is particularly important for the health of mothers, newborn babies and children, and this is recognised in DFID’s health service programmes.
The availability of water and sanitation in schools contributed to cleaner, safer, and more conducive learning environments. This is particularly important for girls who must have privacy as well as safe, convenient, hygienic conditions during menstruation. Where DFID has supported WASH in schools, there is anecdotal evidence that girls school attendance and performance is enhanced. International figures for WASH access in schools are much worse than health facilities and DFID has responded in its programming globally. In Sierra Leone, for example, this has prompted DFID to fund the construction of WASH facilities in 200 schools and 120 community health centres, as part of the Post-Ebola response.
DFID has a statutory duty to ensure gender equality is a consideration across all of its work. This follows the International Development Gender Equality Act passed in May 2015.
Asked by: Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government in which developing countries they are working with other governments to deliver sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services.
Answered by Baroness Verma
In many countries the UK Government works with other donor governments to deliver sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services. In Mozambique, for example, we have supported a Government of Mozambique led fund which is also financed by Canada, the Netherlands and Switzerland. We are a member of the Sanitation and Water for All partnership where we work with other governments to help set sector priorities. In other countries (Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Malawi, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) we work with partners such as UNICEF and non-governmental organisations who coordinate with other governments as appropriate. In all cases we coordinate with other donor governments in the developing countries where we work.
Asked by: Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to adopt and implement a dedicated sustainable development goal for water and sanitation, with targets for universal access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030.
Answered by Baroness Verma
The UK supports the inclusion of water and sanitation in the post-2015 agenda. We are pleased that the Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the Open Working Group includes a goal to ‘ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all’ which contains specific targets for drinking water and sanitation. We will continue to build on the work done so far on water, sanitation and hygiene as part of our efforts to finish the job on the current Millennium Development Goals and ensure that no-one is left behind.
In the last five years we have supported 62.9 million people, of whom 22.2 million were women, to access clean water, better sanitation or improved hygiene conditions through DFID’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes (exceeding DFID’s commitment of 60 million).
Asked by: Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of development aid was spent on the Building Stability Overseas Strategy in 2014–15.
Answered by Baroness Verma
UK development assistance contributes to delivering the Building Stability Overseas Strategy by tackling the short and long-term drivers of instability, supporting stronger and more legitimate institutions and societies, helping to meet basic needs and create opportunities for social and economic development for all, including women and girls. In 2013, 43% of UK Official Development Assistance was spent in Fragile and Conflict Affected States (FCAS), where the need to build stability is most pressing. Examples of DFID programmes:
· In Nigeria, the Stability and Reconciliation Programme (£38m, 2011-2016), aims to reduce incidence and impact of violent conflict.
· DFID’s support to the multi-donor Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) (£256.8m 2014-17) helps the Afghan government to provide basic services, and thus improve confidence in its ability to meet Afghan people’s expectations.